Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Three

Justin drove the car into the barn, and I immediately got out of the car and ran towards the forest house, with gravel flying under my feet.No one called me, so I slammed the key into the lock, flung the door open, and strode upstairs to the room. I waited for the others to come in, and finally heard the door close and the hurried murmur move towards the living room.What felt like a long time passed was actually less than a minute because I kept staring at my watch.I estimated that ten minutes would be too short for them to exchange experiences (they had never had a chance before) and create panic; if it was too long, Abby would calm down and calm down the others.

While waiting, I strained my ears to listen to the movement downstairs, and felt that their voices were tense and muffled, with a little panic.I get myself ready. The evening sun flooded the windows of my room, the air was bright and shining, and I felt light and light, as if I were in amber, and every movement was clear and rhythmic, as if a ritual that had been rehearsed for a lifetime.My hands seem to come to life, the automatic smoothing of my corset is a little dirty by now, but I can't put it in the washing machine to get the corset into place, tuck the hem into my jeans, The gun was positioned, and his movements were calm and precise, as if he had endless time.

Thousands of miles away, when I changed into Lacy's clothes for the first time at the apartment, I knew this day would come.Wearing this outfit, it felt like armor and a sacrificial robe, and it made me want to laugh out loud. As soon as ten minutes came, I closed the door, bid farewell to the small room full of sunlight and the fragrance of lilies of the valley, and listened to the sound downstairs and it fell silent. I go to the bathroom to wash my face, dry myself carefully, straighten the towel and hang it between Abby and Daniel's towels.I felt strange in the mirror, pale, staring at me with wide-eyed eyes, as if something important was warning me, but I couldn't interpret it.I pulled off my jumper, made sure the sidearm wasn't sticking out, and went downstairs.

They were in the living room, all three.I stood by the door and took a look at them before they noticed.Xiao Ruitan sat on the sofa, switched hands from left to right and shuffled the cards, drawing arcs.Abby huddled in her chair, bit her lower lip and buried herself in dressing the puppet. Although she worked hard, only one of the three stitches was successful.Justin was sitting in a high-backed chair with a book, his thin shoulders slumped, one sleeve of the jumper was patched, and his hands were long and slender, like a boy's little hands.I can't explain it, but I looked at him and felt like my heart would break.The coffee table was littered with glasses and bottles of vodka, tonic water, and orange juice.The drink spilled a little, but none of the three bothered to wipe it up.On the floor, vine shadows reflected the sunlight, like paper-cuts.

They sensed my approach, and looked up at me one by one, with expressionless faces and alert eyes, just like the day they stood on the steps to greet me.how are youAbby asked. I shrugged. Have a drink!Xiao Rui nodded towards the table and said: If you don't want to drink vodka, you have to get it yourself. I think a little bit, I say.The sun slanted on my feet, making the freshly waxed floor crystal clear.I stared at the floor and said: What happened that night.They said it was possible, the doctor said. There was another rustling sound of shuffling the cards.we know.Xiao Rui said. They showed us, Abby said softly: Watch you talk to Frank.

I suddenly looked up and opened my mouth to look at them.Oh, my God, after a while, I said: You guys are hiding it from me?Don't want to say it? We're talking now.Xiao Rui said. fuck you!I said, my voice trembling, as if I was about to cry again.I fuck you.How stupid do you think I am?That Frank guy treated me like hell, and I still didn't say anything because I didn't want you guys to get in trouble.In the end, you all planned to play me like an idiot for the rest of your life, knowing that I covered my mouth with the back of my wrist. Abby whispered tremblingly: You didn't say anything.

If I knew it earlier, I would have said it. I bit the back of my wrist and said: Tell him everything I remember, and let you figure it out yourself. remember?Abby said: What do you remember? My heart almost burst out of my chest.If I misspoke just a little bit, not only would I set myself on fire, but all three weeks (breaking into the lives of the four of them, hurting Sam, and risking my job) would be for nothing.I've bet all my chips and don't know if my hand is good or bad.I suddenly thought of Lacey, she lived like this all her life, blindly betting all the bets, and in the end, let's see what happened to her in the end.

Jacket, I say: note in jacket pocket. The moment I finished speaking, I felt like I had lost.They looked up at me with utter bewilderment, as if they couldn't understand what I was saying.I began to think desperately about the way out (dreams during coma? hallucinations caused by morphine?), and I heard Justin murmur in despair: Oh, my God! You didn't take a cigarette when you went for a walk, Daniel told me.I'd been so busy trying to cover up my mistake that it took me a few days to realize that I had burned Ned's note.If Lacey didn't have a lighter, and it was impossible to eat the note, this kind of thing was a bit outrageous even for her, so she couldn't destroy the note immediately.Perhaps on the way home she tore the note to pieces and threw it into the hedge, like the little siblings in the fairy tale Candy House.Maybe she didn't even want to leave such a trace, and stuffed the note into her pocket, ready to go home and burn it or flush it down the toilet.

Lacey has always been extremely cautious, keeping secrets at all times. I can't imagine that she will make a mistake, except for one possibility.Just once, when she was rushing home at night, in the rain (it could only be rain), the baby let her guard down, and the hope of escape flickered, she stuffed the note into her pocket, forgetting that the jacket she was wearing wasn't hers.What Lacy had betrayed betrayed her back: the intimacy of the five, sharing almost everything together. Well, Xiao Rui raised her eyebrows, reached for the cup, and tried her best to put on a bored expression, but her nostrils began to dilate slightly.Well done, Brother Justin, now it's fun.

What?What are you talking about?What does it do well?she already knows shut up!Abby said.Her face turned pale, and her freckles suddenly became obvious, as if her face had been painted with oil paint. Xiao Rui ignored her.Even if she didn't know it before, she knows it now. It's not my fault, why do you always, always blame me? Justin is getting out of hand.Xiao Rui looked at the ceiling and said: Have you ever heard me complain?It seems that it is time for us to calculate the general ledger. We don't discuss anything, Abby said: Wait until Daniel gets home. Xiao Rui laughed.Oh, Abby, he said: I really love you, but sometimes I don't understand you.You should be well aware that we won't discuss anything when Daniel comes home.

This matter concerns the five of us, and we won't talk until everyone is here. fart!I raised my voice, not intending to lower it.What kind of bullshit is this, I can't stand it.Since it's about the five of us, why didn't you tell me a few weeks ago?You can talk behind my back, of course you can talk behind Daniel's back. Oh my gosh!Justin whispered again.His mouth was open, and a trembling hand rested on it. Abby's cell phone rang, it was in her handbag.We heard this sound all the way home, and I still heard it in the room just now. Don't answer!I yelled, and Abby stopped with one hand in mid-air.It's Daniel, and I know exactly what he's trying to say anyway.He wants to order you, you can't tell me anything.Damn, I've had enough of him always treating me like a six year old!Compared to you, I am more qualified to know the truth of the matter.If you dare to pick up that damn phone, I swear I'll trample it to pieces!This statement is not a joke. Traffic on Sunday afternoons is going in the city, not out.If Daniel puts on the horsepower (which he certainly will) and doesn't get pulled over by the police, he'll be home in about half an hour, and I can't afford to waste a second. Xiao Rui snorted and said: Beautiful!Raise my glass at the same time. Abby glared at me, hand still on the bag. If you don't tell me what happened, I said: I will call the police immediately and tell them everything I remember, I promise you. God!Justin says: Abby The phone stopped ringing. Abby, I take a deep breath and feel my nails digging into my palms.If you keep excluding me, I can't stand it anymore.This is very important.I can't we're not the solution.Either we face it together, or we go it alone.Justin's cell phone rang. If you're scared, you don't have to tell me who did it, I'm sure I could hear Frank bang his head against the wall if I stretched out my ears, but I don't bother to talk to him.This matter must be done step by step.I just want to know what happened.You all know, I'm the only one who doesn't know, I hate this, I'm done.Please. Of course Lacey has the right to know, Xiaorui said: from my standpoint, I have had enough of this kind of life because of what Daniel said.We've been doing it all the time, how do you see it now? The bell stopped.We should give it back to him, Justin said as he got up, right?Maybe he got arrested and needs bail or something, no? He was not arrested, Abby replied subconsciously, then sat back on the sofa, covered her face with her hands, and said with a long sigh: I have already said that they need evidence to arrest people.Daniel is fine.Sit down, Lacey. I stay where I am.Please, just sit down, Xiao Rui sighed as if he was too disturbed: Anyway, no matter what they think, I will tell you about this perverted thing from beginning to end.You're moving around in there, it just makes me nervous.And Abby, calm down, we should have done this a few weeks ago. After a while, I went to the fireplace and sat in my special chair.Much better, Xiao Rui grinned at me, looking very happy, with a feeling of going all out.He hadn't been this happy in weeks.Have a drink. I don't want to drink. Xiao Rui flicked her legs and stood up, hastily poured a large glass of vodka mixed with orange juice, and handed it to me.To be honest, I think everyone should have a drink, and it will definitely be useful later. After finishing speaking, Abby and Justin filled the cups one by one without seeming to notice, then raised their glasses to the room and said: respect Confession. Well, Abby took a deep breath and said: That's fine too.Since you really want to know, and it's going to come back to you in the end anyway, I want to take care of him. Justin opened his mouth, then closed it, biting his lip. Abby ran her hands through her hair and said, "Where do you want us to come from? I mean, I don't know how much you remember, or Very piecemeal, I replied: There is no way to get together, you start from scratch!The adrenaline in my body began to wear off, and I suddenly became very calm.This was the last thing I did at Hawthorn House, and I could feel it, humming softly with sunshine and dust and memory, waiting to hear the next story.I feel like we have endless time. You are about to go out for a walk, Xiaorui leans back on the sofa and helps everyone start by saying: What time is it?It was almost eleven o'clock?Abby and I happened to be out of cigarettes.Funny, isn't it, how little things can make such a big difference.If we hadn't smoked, this might never have happened.They keep talking about how evil cigarettes are, but never mention the evil. You will help us buy it back.Abby said.She held her hands tightly between her legs and looked at me carefully.But you're usually out for at least an hour, so I figured I'd just run out the door by myself and go to the gas station to buy it.I felt like it was going to rain so I put on my jacket because you already had one and I thought you might not need it.I put my wallet in my pocket and it turns out Abby stopped, her body swayed slightly, and she felt tense, not knowing what it meant.I shut my mouth, unless necessary, I will not use words to induce, the next process must be opened by themselves. She took out a note, and Xiao Rui said with a cigarette in his mouth: "Say to us: What is this?"No one noticed at first, we were all in the kitchen, me, Justin and Daniel doing the dishes, arguing for no apparent reason! Stevenson, Justin said softly, very sadly: We're talking about the Dr Jekyll book, remember?Daniel chattered about reason and intuition.You're in a bad mood, Lacey, and you've had enough homework chatter at night, Jack or Hyde, they're both terrible in bed.Xiao Rui said: You only have one thing on your mind, and it's not a good thing. We all laughed when we heard that. At this point, Abby said: Lacey, what the hell is this?Xiao Rui said: This time it was very loud, we all stopped laughing and turned our heads to see her holding a tattered note with the expression on her face as if someone had slapped her.I've never seen her like that, ever. Here I remember, I said, feeling my hands burn as if welded to the armrest.But then things were blurry again. Congratulations, Xiao Rui said: We are just in time to help.What happened next, I think the few of us will remember clearly for the rest of our lives.You said: give it to me.At the same time, she reached out to grab it, but Abby jumped back immediately and handed the note to Daniel. I think, Justin said under his breath, that's when we realized something was wrong.I was about to joke about teasing you with a love letter or something, Lacey, but you're so mad that you lunge at Daniel to snatch the note away.Daniel subconsciously blocked you with one hand, but you kept hitting him, really hard, punching his arm, and wanted to kick him, reaching out desperately to grab the note, but you didn't make a sound.I think the scariest thing is this, the silence.Normal people usually yell or something so I might be able to do something but the room is so quiet it's just you and Daniel panting and the faucet keeps running Abby grabbed your arm, Xiao Rui said: But you turned around suddenly and clenched your hands into fists, I really thought you were going to hit her.Justin and I were like two idiots watching, dumbfounded, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.I mean, we were talking about Dr. Jekyll in bed two seconds ago, weren't we?As soon as you let go of Daniel, he slipped the note to me, clasped your hands behind your back, and said to me: Read it. I don't like your reaction, Justin said softly: You tugged and tugged and struggled to break free from Daniel, but he just wouldn't let go.Then you wanted to bite him, bite his arm.I don't think Daniel should do this, if the note is yours, you should give it back, but I really can't get in. I'm not surprised at all.These few people are not actionists, they are good at thinking and writing, and the situation at that time must have completely disabled their heads.But I didn't expect Daniel's reaction to be so quick and easy, which immediately sounded a warning in my heart. So, Xiaorui said: I read the note aloud, which read: Dear Lacey, after thinking about it, I agree that two hundred K is negotiable.Please contact me, I know you and I both want to make a deal.Ned Pen. For God's sake, Justin whispered in pain to the silence of the room: You must remember this. He made a lot of typos, and Xiao Rui said with a cigarette in his mouth: "You can even write wrong words, just like a fucking middle school student, you are simply mentally retarded."Regardless of other things, I really didn't expect you to have such bad taste that you would be dishonest and deal with such a guy. will you?Abby asked.She fixed her eyes on me, and her hands between her legs froze suddenly.If none of this happened, would you really sell to Ned? In the future, whenever I think of how cruel I was to the four of them, at least one thing can comfort myself: I could have said yes.I could have told them exactly what Lacey had in mind, what she was going to do with everything they had built with all their heart and soul.Maybe saying that would make them feel better after all than making them think the killing was a misunderstanding, I don't know.All I know is that the last time I was in the same situation, I also chose to lie for a valid reason, but it turned out to be one step behind and nothing changed. No, I said: I'm just gosh, I just wanted to try it, but I'm freaking out, Abby.I felt like I was being chained, so I panicked.I never really wanted to leave, I just wanted to make sure that if I wanted to, I would still be able to. Restrained, Justin raised his head slightly, showing a hurt expression.by us.But I catch Abby blinking hastily to indicate that she's thinking: the baby. You will stay. God, I want to stay.I said.To this day, I'm still not sure if that answer was a lie, and I don't think I'll ever understand.Want to, Abby, really want to. After a long time, Abby nodded, so lightly that she could barely see it. Let me just say it, Xiao Rui raised his head and took a puff of cigarette, saying: Fuck his Daniel.Until last week, he was hysterical and paranoid as hell.I told him I've talked to you and you don't plan to go anywhere, but that guy, I don't listen to you. Abby didn't respond or move, and even her breathing seemed to have stopped.What now?She asked me: how is it now? I didn't come here for a while, thinking that she didn't figure it out, and wanted to make sure whether I wanted to stay or not.what do you mean?I asked.What she meant was that Rui's tone was cold, clear, and flat: When we're done, will you call Frank, Sam, or the morons in the village and give us away, sell us, and leave us alone .No matter how he described it, it was this kind of thing anyway. You may be thinking, I must have been pierced by a thousand arrows when I heard this sentence, and the guilt permeated from the hot microphone against my skin all the way to the whole body.But all I feel is grief, great, tearing, terminating grief, like the tide receding from my bones.I won't say anything, I said, thinking Franck, sitting among the buzzing electronics, would surely agree.It's the same for everyone.Whatever happens, I don't want you guys to go to jail. Yeah?Abby said softly, as if talking to herself.She sat back on the chair, smoothed her skirt with both hands carelessly, and said: Well, so to speak In this way, Xiao Rui took a sharp puff of cigarette and said: The whole thing is simply too complicated by ourselves.But it's not a surprise to me. And after that?I said: what happened after that? There was a flash of tension in the room, and no one looked at anyone.I want to see something on their faces that this issue is bigger than the impact just now, that someone is defending whom, being shielded by whom, feeling ashamed or eager to refute.Absolutely not. So, Abby took a deep breath and said, "Lee, I don't know if you've ever thought about what selling ownership to Ned really means.You sometimes I don't know, I don't think too much. Xiao Rui snorted maliciously.That's being polite.God, Lacey, how the hell do you think things are going to go?You sell the ownership and buy a nice little apartment and everyone is happy ever after?What more do you want when you step into school every morning?Hugs, kisses, or shall we make you a sandwich?We won't even talk to you anymore, we'll hate you to the bone. Ned would keep pestering some of us, Abby said, every minute, every hour, of us selling the forest house to a developer for condos or a golf club or whatever the hell he wanted to build.He would even move in and live with us, and there was nothing we could do about it, and sooner or later we would have to give up, lose this place, lose the forest house. Something woke up, rustled and stirred, causing the walls to vibrate slightly, the floor upstairs creaked, and a gust of air rushed down the stairs.We started yelling, and Justin whispered: Everyone yelling at the same time, I can't even make out what I said.You break away from Daniel, Xiaorui grabs you, and you hit Xiaorui.hit him hard, lacey, punch him in the stomach We were fighting, and Rui said, "You can call it what you want, but we really hung out like gangsters on the corner."Thirty seconds more and we'll all be on the kitchen floor wrestling and beating each other up, but we can't do that yet We, Abby, interrupted Xiao Rui's words abruptly like slamming the door.Didn't do that. Abby looked calmly, fixedly looking at Xiaorui.After a while, Xiao Rui shrugged his shoulders, sat back on the sofa with a snap, and kept shaking his feet.It could have been either of us, Abby started, and I didn't know who she was talking to, me or Ray, but I was startled by the passion in her voice.We were all furious. I've never been so angry in my life.Everything that followed was accidental, it just happened.We're all trying to kill you, Lacey, and you can't blame us. There was another commotion, almost inaudible.Something sweeps around the corner of the stairs, and there is a hum from the chimney.I don't blame you, I said, suddenly feeling like I should have known, I read too many cheesy ghost stories when I was a kid, and if that's what Lacy came to me for, that's all right.Of course you should be angry, even afterward, you are entitled to kick me out. We discussed it, Abby said, and Xiao Rui immediately raised an eyebrow.Daniel and I wondered if we could continue living together after that.But it must be very complicated. After all, what we are facing is you, and it is you no matter what. The next thing I remember, Justin whispered: the back door slammed, and a knife fell in the middle of the floor, covered in blood.I couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe this had actually happened. You just let me go?I looked down at my hands and said: I don't want to know at all if I No, Abby leaned forward and tried to meet my eyes.No, Lei, of course we do.It took us a while to figure out what was going on, but once we figured it out it was mainly Daniel, actually, because the three of us almost froze.When I came back to my senses, Daniel had already chased him out with a flashlight.He asked me and Xiaorui to stay at home and wait for you, burn the note, and prepare hot water, disinfectant and bandages Just right for delivering the baby in Gone with the Wind.What is he thinking?Home surgery on the kitchen table with Abby's embroidery needles? He and Justin went out to find you right away without delay. Daniel did a good job. He knew that Abby was calm enough, and only Xiaorui and Justin would faint, so he separated them, and he and Abby looked at each other and found something for them to do.It only takes him a few seconds to think up all the plans, and it's a waste of talent to stay in school. I don't know if our reaction was really fast, Justin said: As far as I feel, we may have been stunned for a full five to ten minutes.I almost forgot about that passage, and it was completely wiped out of my head.I just remember that by the time Daniel and I rushed out the back door, you were gone.We don't know if you ran to the village for help, passed out somewhere, or I just kept running, I whispered: I just remember running, and I didn't even realize I was bleeding for a long time.Justin couldn't help shivering when he heard this. I thought so too at first, Abby said softly: There wasn't a drop of blood on the kitchen floor, and neither did the balcony. So they checked.I'm curious when they looked and who said to check, Abby or Daniel.That's the second point, Justin said: We don't know uh, how bad are you hurt?You disappeared in no time, and we had no chance at all. We thought, I should say, that since you ran so fast, it meant that the injury shouldn't be serious, right?Maybe just a little cut. ha!Xiao Rui said, reaching for the ashtray. We really don't know.I thought it was possible but I asked Daniel and he just gave me a noncommittal look so oh my god.We start looking for you.Daniel said, the most important thing is to make sure that you have not run to the village, but all the houses in the village are closed, dark and dark, only the bedrooms are lit with scattered lights, obviously nothing happened.So, we started walking back towards the forest house, circling back and forth, hoping to meet you on the path. Justin looked down at the glass in his hand.At least I think so.I just followed Daniel on and on and on through the dark labyrinth of paths until I couldn't figure out where I was, completely disoriented.We dare not turn on the flashlight or call you.I don't even know why I'm so afraid, I just feel that it's dangerous, maybe I'm afraid that people in the farmhouse will find out, or that you're trying to avoid us, I don't know.So, Daniel only let the flashlight on for a second every few minutes, and blocked it with his hand, swept it around in a hurry, and then cut it off immediately.We walked by the hedge most of the time, and it was freezing cold outside, as in winter, and we didn't even think about wearing coats when we went out.Daniel doesn't think it's ok, and you know him, but my toes are numb from the cold and I'm pretty sure I have frostbite.We wandered around for hours No wonder, Xiaorui said: Believe me, the two of us are holding Dettol disinfectant, facing a bloody knife, there is absolutely nothing to do except staring at the clock and going crazy.You were only out for about forty-five minutes. Justin shrugged nervously.Ugh, but it really does feel like hours.Later, Daniel stopped suddenly, and I accidentally bumped into his back, just like the plot of "Dr. Jekyll".He said: "This is ridiculous, we can't find her like this.I asked him what he thought, but he ignored me completely, standing still and looking up at the sky, as if he was waiting for an enlightenment from heaven.The sky started to cloud, but the moon came out and I saw his profile.Presently he spoke, as in a dinner-table chat: Well, suppose she's gone somewhere instead of wandering around in the dark wilderness.There must be a place where she and Ned would meet, and there must be some shelter, for the weather was so unpredictable in this part of the world.Is there anyone around here who can talk about this, Daniel suddenly rushed out, moving forward at full speed, running so fast.I didn't expect him to run so fast. I never saw him run before. Have you seen him? That night, he also ran. Xiao Rui extinguished his cigarette and said: Chasing the countryman with the flashlight.That's right, if he really wants to run, he can run very fast. I had no idea where he was going, so I was desperately trying to keep up.I was terrified to think that I was alone in the wilderness.I mean, I know we're only a few hundred meters from the house, but it doesn't feel like that.Feeling Justin trembling all over, feeling very dangerous, he said: It's like something is happening, around us, hidden and invisible, if I'm the only one left Honey, that's because you're freaking out, Abby said softly: That's normal. Justin shook his head, still staring at his glass.No, he said: not like that.He picked up the wine glass, raised his head and took a sip, wrinkled his face and said, "Daniel turned on the flashlight and shone it like a lighthouse. I dare say everyone within a few kilometers has woken up."At this time, he took a picture of a hut, I only took a glance, saw the corner of the wall collapsed, and then the flashlight was turned off again.Daniel jumped over the wall and jumped into the field. The weeds were long and wet and wrapped around my ankles. It felt like walking in cereal. He winked at the cup and pushed it to the shelf, spilling a little Orange juice, spilled on someone's notes, leaving ugly stains.can i have a cigarette You don't know how to smoke, Xiao Rui said: You are a good boy at home. You want me to finish the story, Justin said: Just give me the fucking cigarettes. Justin's voice was trembling and trembling, and his tone was disturbing.Don't mess with him!Xiao Rui.Abby said.She reached out and handed Justin her cigarette case, grabbed his hand and pressed it. Justin lit his cigarette awkwardly, took a sharp puff between his stiff fingers, and choked.Everyone saw him coughing, gasping for breath, pushing his glasses away with his knuckles and rubbing his eyes, but no one spoke. Lacey, Abby said: Can we please you already know the outline, can this be all right? I want to hear it.I said, barely able to breathe. Me too, Xiaorui said: I have never heard of this passage, I always thought it should be very interesting.Aren't you even curious, Abby?Or do you already know? Abby shrugged.Well, Justin's eyes are closed, his jaw is clenched, and the cigarette can barely hang from his lips.He said: "I'm just waiting for me, God. Justin took another puff on his cigarette and vomited lightly, but he held it back.Well, his tone regained his composure.So, we went to the cabin, the moonlight was not very bright, I could only see the outline of the wall and the doorway.Daniel turned on the flashlight, covering it slightly with one hand, and then Justin's eyes widened suddenly, and he turned to look at the window.You sat in the corner against the wall, and I called out, probably by your name, maybe, I don't know.I was about to run towards you when Daniel grabbed my arm, hard and painful, and pulled me back.He brought his mouth close to my ear and hissed, and said: Don't move, you stay here, don't move.He shook my arm so hard I was bruised, then let me go and walked towards you.He puts his finger on your throat like this, checks your pulse, shines a flashlight on you, you look Justin was still staring out the window.You look like a little girl asleep, he said, with the sadness in his voice like drizzle.Daniel said to me: She died.That's what we think, Lacey, we think you're dead. You must be unconscious, Abby said softly: The police told us that being unconscious makes your heart beat slower, your breathing slower or something.if it wasn't too cold Daniel stood up, Justin said, wiping his hands on his coat.I don't know why, he didn't have blood on his hands or anything, but that's what I saw.He kept wiping his hands on his chest, as if he didn't know what he was doing.I dare not, I can't look at you, try to lean against the wall to support myself.I mean, I was short of breath and felt like I was going to pass out.But Daniel suddenly said sharply: Don't touch anything, put your hands in your pockets, hold your breath and count to ten.I didn't know what he was talking about, didn't understand at all, but I did it anyway. We all do.Xiao Rui muttered something, and Abby glanced at him. After a while, Daniel said: If she went out for a walk as usual, she should have her keys and wallet, and her usual flashlight.One of us has to go home and get it, the other stays here.At this late hour, it is unlikely that anyone would pass by, but we don't know what agreement she and Ned made, and if someone did pass by, we need to know who it is.Do you want to go home, or stay? Justin raised one hand as if to reach out to me, but pulled it back and grabbed the elbow of the other.I told Daniel there was no way I could stay.I'm sorry, Lacey, I'm really sorry, I really shouldn't I mean, lying there is you, no matter what, it's still you, even if it's already but I really can't do it.I was trembling all over at that time, talking to Daniel must be incoherent. In the end, he said, he didn't have any anxiety at all, at least it had faded, but he was just impatient. He said: Please shut up, okay?I'm staying, you go home quickly, put on your gloves, and get Lacey's keys, wallet, and flashlight.Tell them what happened, they will definitely want to come, and you must stop them, and you can't let them follow.The last thing we need is a bunch of people stalking around here, and there's no need to add memories they have to forget.Come over as soon as you get your stuff, remember to bring a flashlight, but only use it when necessary, and try to keep quiet.Do you remember what I said? Justin took a sharp puff on his cigarette and continued: I said remember, as long as I can leave the cabin, even if he asks me if I can fly home, I will say yes.He asked me to repeat it, and then sat down next to you, not very close, I think it was because he didn't want you to know, and he didn't want blood to get on his pants.Then he looked up at me and said: How?Go back, hurry up! So I went home.But it was terrible, it took uh, if Xiao Rui is right, it can't be that long, I don't know.Anyway, I'm lost.I know there are places where the lights of the forest house should be visible, but I just can't see them.It was pitch black all around, for several kilometers in radius.I know very well, with a hundred percent certainty, that the forest house is not there, because all I see are hedges and paths, endless, like a huge maze, and I will never get out of it, and it will never appear again in the daytime.I feel something staring at me, in the trees, hiding in the hedges.I don't know what it is, but it's just looking at me and smiling.I was terrified.When I finally saw the house, though it was only a faint yellow light among the trees, I was so relieved that I just wanted to scream.The next thing I remember is pushing open the back door myself! He felt like he had played Scream, Xiao Rui said: It just looked dirtier, and he was completely inarticulate, as if biting his tongue, and half of what he said was meaningless.All we got was the kid saying he had to get back, and Daniel told us to stay home.I thought to myself, fuck it, I'm just going to see what's going on.But when I got up to get my coat, Justin and Abby acted like crazy and I had to give up. Fortunately, she gave up, and Abby responded coldly.She began to dress up as a puppet again, her hair falling over her face and hiding her expression.But even from the other side of the room, I could see that she sewed casually and roughly, as if she hadn't.What do you think you can be useful for? Xiao Rui shrugged and said: We will never know, will we?I knew about the cabin, and if Justin said he was going back there, I could go in his place and let him stay home and get his act together, but that's obviously not what Daniel meant. Maybe he has a reason. 喔，那還用說，小瑞說：我敢說他一定有理由。所以，賈思汀手忙腳亂，邊拿東西邊胡言亂語，接著又衝出門了。 我不曉得自己是怎麼回到小屋的，賈思汀說：只記得渾身都是泥巴，連膝蓋上也有，也許我曾跌倒，我不曉得。我雙手都是細小的擦傷，我想是一路抓著樹籬穩住身子的關係。丹尼爾依然坐在妳身旁，感覺從我離開就沒有動過，我不知道。他抬頭看我，眼鏡沾了雨水，結果你們知道他說什麼？他說：這場雨來得正是時候，只要下久一點，所有腳印和指紋在警察來之前都會消失。 小瑞身體猛然一晃，震得沙發彈簧吱嘎作響。 我愣愣望著他，耳中只響著警察兩個字。我完全想不到這和警察有什麼關係，但還是驚惶失措。丹尼爾抬頭打量我一眼，說：你沒戴手套。 蕾西就躺在他旁邊，小瑞自言自語：厲害。 我完全忘了手套這件事。我是說，我很呃，你們應該知道。丹尼爾嘆一口氣，站起身來，感覺一點也不著急，用手帕擦了擦眼鏡，接著將手帕遞到我面前。我心想他要我也擦眼鏡，便伸手去拿，沒想到他大手一收，氣沖沖說：鑰匙呢？於是，我掏出鑰匙，他接了過去，開始用手帕擦拭，我這才明白手帕的用途。後來他賈思汀在椅子裡動一下，彷彿想找東西，卻不知道該找什麼。妳真的什麼都不記得了嗎？ 我不知道，我回答，肩膀不由得抽搐一下。我還是沒有正眼看他，頂多斜斜瞄他一眼，讓他很緊張。我說：我要是記得，就不用問你了，不是嗎？ 好吧，好吧，賈思汀推了推眼鏡，說：那，後來丹尼爾妳的手擺在腿間，全都他抓住袖子將妳的一隻手舉高，好把鑰匙放進妳的外套口袋。接著突然放開，妳的手臂直往下掉，蕾西，就像壞掉的洋娃娃，啪的撞到地上，聲音很恐怖我再也看不下去，真的沒辦法。我一直拿著手電筒照妳，讓他看清楚，但卻轉頭注視田野，希望丹尼爾以為我在把風。他說皮夾，然後手電筒。我將東西遞給他，但不曉得他在做什麼，只聽見沙沙聲。我努力不在心裡想像 賈思汀顫抖著深吸一口氣，說：我感覺他好像永遠弄不完，風越來越大，到處都是聲音，嘰嘰嘎嘎，小蟲窸窸窣窣我真不曉得妳是怎麼做到的，竟然能晚上一個人出來散步。雨變大了，不過一陣陣的，大朵烏雲匆匆掠過，只要月光出現，整塊田野就彷彿活了過來。也許是我嚇到了，就像艾比說的，但我想我不曉得。也許有些地方感覺就是不對，對人不好，對心靈不好。 賈思汀空望著房間中央，眼神渙散，沉浸在回憶裡。我想起之前在我頸背流竄的那股電流，忽然好奇奈勒到底有多常跟蹤我。 後來，丹尼爾總算站起來說：應該可以了，我們走吧。於是我轉過身來，結果賈思汀嚥了嚥口水，我仍然用手電筒照著妳。妳的頭歪向一邊，雨繼續打在妳身上，妳臉龐沾了雨水，感覺好像睡著了，作了惡夢，在夢裡流眼淚我沒辦法老天，我真的沒辦法把妳丟著，我想陪妳到天亮，至少待到雨停，但當我這樣對丹尼爾說，他卻看著我，彷彿我瘋了。所以我對他說，起碼，我們最起碼不要讓妳淋雨。丹尼爾起初還是拒絕，但他發現我怎麼都不肯離開，除非把我一路拖回家，就決定讓步了。他暴跳如雷，說要是我們因此坐牢，都是我的錯，但我就是不管。所以我們就 賈思汀臉頰閃著淚光，但他似乎毫無所覺。妳好重，他說：妳明明那麼嬌小，我抱過妳不知道多少次，以為但感覺就像拖動一袋浸濕的沙包。而且妳很冰冷，非常妳的臉感覺也變了，像個玩偶，我不敢相信那真的是妳。 我們將妳搬到有屋頂的房間，我試著讓妳讓妳不那麼天氣好冷，我很想把毛衣脫下來給妳，但我知道這麼做，丹尼爾一定會有反應，也許會揍我，我不曉得。他用手帕抹去痕跡，甚至包括妳的臉，因為我摸過，還有妳的脖子，因為他試過脈搏他從門邊樹叢折了一根樹枝，將整個地方掃過一遍，我想主要是腳印。他看起來老天，真的很詭異。在古怪的房間裡倒著走，彎腰拿著樹枝掃地。手電筒的燈光照亮他的手指，巨大的影子在牆上搖晃 賈思汀抹抹臉，盯著自己的指尖說：離開之前，我為妳唸了禱詞。我知道這不代表什麼，可是他臉龐又濕了。願永恆之光照亮她。 賈思汀，艾比柔聲說：她就在這裡。賈思汀搖搖頭。後來，他說：我們就回家了。 過了半晌，小瑞用力一彈打火機，嚇了我們三人一跳。他們出現在陽台，他說：看起來就像電影活死人之夜裡的人物一樣。 我們幾乎用吼的，想知道究竟出了什麼事，艾比說：但丹尼爾只是目光茫然，臉上表情毫無生氣，我感覺他根本沒看到我們。他一手攔住賈思汀，不讓他進屋子，對我們說：有誰需要清理的嗎？ 我想我們三個完全不曉得他在講什麼，小瑞說：都什麼時候了，講話還是這樣神秘兮兮。我想抓住那傢伙，要他告訴我們到底出了什麼事，但他卻往後跳開，朝我怒吼一句：別碰我！那語氣我差點仰頭摔倒。他並沒有對我大吼，而是幾乎輕聲細語，但他的臉感覺完全不像丹尼爾，甚至不像人，他對我齜牙咧嘴。 他身上都是血，艾比厲聲反駁。不想讓你沾到，而且他受創很深。我和你那天夜裡算是輕鬆的，小瑞。沒錯小瑞嗤之以鼻。艾比說：是真的。難道你願意待在小屋的人是你？ 說不定不賴。 你不會想的，賈思汀說，語氣帶著一絲焦慮。相信我，艾比說得對，你們比較輕鬆。小瑞刻意聳聳肩。 總之，氣氛緊繃一秒之後，艾比說：丹尼爾深呼吸一口氣，伸手摩挲前額說：艾比，麻煩妳幫我們各拿一條毛巾和一套更換的衣物。小瑞，你去拿塑膠袋，大一點的。賈思汀，把衣服脫掉。他話還沒說完，已經開始解襯衫的釦子 等我拿到塑膠袋回來，他和賈思汀已經脫得只剩四角內褲了。小瑞拍掉襯衫上的煙灰說：畫面不是很美觀。 我都凍僵了，賈思汀說，最痛苦的一段已經過去，他語氣輕鬆不少。顫抖和榨光一切之後，就是解脫。外頭傾盆大雨，氣溫零下幾百萬度，寒風刺骨，我們只穿著內褲站在陽台，我一點也不曉得為什麼要這樣。我的腦袋已經麻木了，只會照著別人的吩咐做事。丹尼爾將我和他的衣服扔進塑膠袋，說什麼幸好我們沒穿外套我拿起鞋子要放進去，想說幫點忙，但他卻說：不要，鞋子留著，我晚點再處理。正好艾比拿著毛巾和衣服出來，於是我們便擦乾身體，穿上衣服！ 我又試著問出事情經過，小瑞說：這回記得保持距離。賈思汀像被車燈照到的小鹿般看著我，丹尼爾連瞧都懶得瞧我一眼，只是將襯衫塞進褲頭說：小瑞、艾比，麻煩去拿你們要洗的衣服，如果沒有，乾淨衣服也可以。說完就雙手抱起塑膠袋，赤腳朝廚房走去，賈思汀像隻小狗跟在後頭。我不曉得自己為什麼要聽話，但我真的拿了我的換洗衣服。 他這麼做是對的，艾比說：要是警方在我們洗完衣服之前出現，看起來必須和平常一樣，不能像是湮滅證據。 小瑞聳聳一邊肩膀說：隨便。丹尼爾啟動洗衣機，眉頭深鎖看著它，彷彿面對什麼神奇奧妙的玩意兒。我們站在廚房裡像三個白癡，不知道在等什麼。可能在等丹尼爾開口吧，我想，雖然 我只看見那把刀，賈思汀低聲說：小瑞和艾比沒有動它，就留在廚房的地板上！ 小瑞看著天花板，下巴朝艾比點了點。沒錯，艾比說：是我，因為我覺得最好什麼東西都不要碰，等大家回來，確定計畫之後再說。 因為想也知道，小瑞故意放慢速度，輕聲說道：一定會有計畫。丹尼爾哪一回沒有計畫，對吧？有計畫不是很好嗎？ 艾比對著我們大吼，賈思汀說：她高聲說：蕾西到底在哪裡？就在我耳朵旁邊，我差點就暈了過去。 丹尼爾轉身看著我們，小瑞說：彷彿不認識我們三個。賈思汀開口想說什麼，卻只擠出像是噎到的聲音，丹尼爾嚇一大跳，朝他眨眼，接著說：蕾西在她常去的荒廢小屋裡，已經死了。我還以為賈思汀已經跟你們說了。說完他開始穿襪子。 賈思汀其實跟我們說了，艾比悄聲說：但不曉得該怎麼形容，我想我們都希望他搞錯了 房間裡一陣沉寂。樓上樓梯間的大鐘滴答作響，聲音緩慢沉重。丹尼爾正猛踩油門，我可以感覺他就在路上，輪胎以令人暈眩的速度飛馳，越來越接近家裡。 And after that?我問：你們就上床睡覺了？ 他們面面相覷，賈思汀笑了出來，抑制不住的尖笑，過了一會兒，小瑞和艾比也開始咯咯笑。 how?I said. 我不曉得我們為什麼會笑，艾比抹去眼淚，試著鎮定下來，保持正經嚴肅，結果又引來一陣笑聲。喔，天哪這其實一點也不好笑，真的，只是 我說了妳一定不信，小瑞說：我們開始玩牌。 沒錯，我們坐在桌前 只要大雨打上窗戶，就差點心臟病發 賈思汀的牙齒不停打顫，感覺好像坐在響葫蘆旁邊 還記得風吹動大門的時候嗎？丹尼爾的椅子差點翻倒？ 你還好意思說別人？你的牌十次有九次被我看得一清二楚，算你運氣好，我沒心情作弊，不然絕對把你殺得片甲不留 他們七嘴八舌，有如剛剛走出考場的青少年，心情輕飄飄的。Oh my gosh!賈思汀閉上眼睛，杯子抵著太陽穴說：那場天殺的要命牌局，我現在想到還是不敢相信。丹尼爾一直說：事情要前後相連，不在場證明才會有效 我們幾個連話都講不完整，小瑞說：他竟然開始思考不在場證明的效力，我連不在場證明這五個字都唸不出來。 所以，他要我們將時鐘全都撥回到十一點，也就是事發之前，接著要大夥兒到廚房把碗盤洗完，之後再回來玩牌，假裝什麼事都沒有發生。 他玩自己的牌，也幫妳玩，艾比對我說：第一輪，妳的牌還不錯，但他的比妳更好，於是他幫妳押了全部籌碼，再一把贏過去，感覺很超現實。 而且他一直敘述，小瑞說著伸手去拿伏特加，將杯子斟滿。午後陽光濛濛，隔窗灑在他身上，讓他顯得俊俏而浪蕩。他的襯衫領口沒扣，幾綹金髮垂在眼前，有如狂歡整夜的皇家攝政團員。蕾西加注，蕾西收牌，蕾西想再喝一杯，麻煩誰幫她將酒拿過來感覺就像公園裡坐在你旁邊的瘋子，不停拿三明治餵他想像中的朋友。他讓妳輸完之後，就要我們配合演出，想像妳出門散步，我們對著空氣揮手告別我感覺我們就像一群瘋子。我還記得我坐在那裡，那張椅子，很有禮貌對著大門說再見，心裡清楚冷靜想著：原來發瘋就是這種感覺。 我敢說那時已經半夜三點了，賈思汀說：但丹尼爾就是不讓我們上床，大夥兒只好一直玩該死的德州撲克，玩到結束。當然，丹尼爾贏了，因為只有他還能專心，但他花了好久才把我們幹掉。老實說，要是警察看到，肯定覺得我們是世界上最差的牌手。我抽到同花喊收牌，只有十點卻加注我已經累到把一個人看成兩個，好像在作一場可怕的惡夢，心裡不停告訴自己趕快醒來。我們將衣服掛在壁爐前晾乾，客廳簡直跟電影鬼霧一樣，衣服冒著水氣，柴火噼啪作響，大家不停抽煙，抽丹尼爾恐怖的無濾嘴香煙 他不讓我去買普通香煙，艾比說：他說我們必須守在一起，再說加油站監視器會記下我抵達的時間，把一切搞砸他就像將軍一樣，小瑞哼了一聲。真的，我們幾個拚命發抖，連牌都拿不好 賈思汀吐過一次，小瑞點起香煙，甩熄火柴說：在廚房水槽，帥氣得很。 我沒辦法，賈思汀說：我腦袋裡只想著妳，孤單一人躺在黑夜裡他伸手按著我的胳膊，我摁了摁他的手，感覺他手冰冷纖細，抖得很厲害。 我們想來想去就只有這件事，艾比說：但丹尼爾我看得出來事情對他衝擊多大，他整張臉都陷下去了，眼睛也不對勁，又大又黑，但卻冷靜到極點，彷彿什麼也沒有發生。賈思汀開始清理水槽 他還是很想吐，小瑞說：我聽得出來。我們五個裡面，蕾西，我想妳那天晚上過得最舒服。 但丹尼爾叫他不用清了，說這樣會擾亂我們記得的時間順序。 顯然，小瑞告訴我：不在場證明要有效，大原則就是簡單，刪掉或捏造的事件越少，就越不會犯錯。丹尼爾不停對我們說：以目前的狀況，我們只需要記得我們洗碗之後開始玩牌，其他事情都從腦袋裡清掉，當作沒發生。翻成白話就是，給我滾回來繼續玩牌，賈思汀。這隻可憐蟲，他嚇得臉色發青。 關於不在場證明，丹尼爾說得一點也沒錯。他很厲害，太厲害了。我忽然想起那一天晚上在公寓裡，山姆潦草記錄，窗外空氣泛著淡淡的紫光，我口頭側寫殺人犯：那人應該擁有犯罪經驗。 山姆調查過這四人的身家背景，除了超速罰單，沒找到任何前科。我不曉得法蘭克私下用他複雜的手段做過什麼調查，暗中保留多少發現，又有多少連他自己也沒有查到。那傢伙向來是天字第一號的保密大師。 他甚至不准我們動那把刀，賈思汀說：我們一邊玩牌，刀子就留在地板上。即使我背對廚房，但我發誓還是感覺得到它，就像愛倫坡的小說或詹姆斯一世時期的戲劇一樣。小瑞坐在我對面，一直眨眼睛，身體抽搐似的微微顫動。 小瑞朝賈思汀做了個鬼臉，露出難以置信的表情，我才沒有。 你有。你有抽搐，而且每分鐘一次，跟時鐘一樣，好像看到我背後有什麼恐怖東西似的。害我嚇得跟著回頭，看刀子是不是懸在空中發光晃動，還是我不曉得的！ 喔，拜託，你是天殺的馬克白夫人啊！ 老天，我突然插嘴：那把刀，難道還我是說，難道我們吃飯還是用我伸手朝廚房的方向一揮，接著咬住指關節。我沒有假裝，我想到自己吃過的每一餐都隱隱帶著蕾西的血，心裡就覺得天旋地轉。 不是，艾比趕緊回答：老天，怎麼可能。丹尼爾把刀子扔了，等我們上床之後，起碼在我們各自回房之後 晚安，瑪麗，小瑞說：晚安，傑克，祝你好夢。God! 丹尼爾直接下樓，我聽見他走樓梯。我不曉得他到底做了什麼，但隔天早上，時鐘全都恢復正常，水槽光潔無瑕，廚房地板乾乾淨淨，感覺每一塊都刷洗過了，不只是刀子掉的那一塊。還有鞋子，丹尼爾和賈思汀之前把鞋子脫在陽台，這會兒都放回外套櫃裡，一樣乾乾淨淨不是像新鞋一樣發亮，而是我們平常保持的那樣而且是乾的，彷彿他用火烘過。衣服全都燙過、折好，刀子也不見了。 Which knife?我咬著手背，微微抖著嗓子說。 就是木頭握把、有點骯髒的舊牛排刀，艾比柔聲說道：別怕，蕾西，刀子已經不在了。 我不要刀子在家裡。 我知道，我也是，但我敢說丹尼爾一定扔了。我不曉得有多少支要處理，但我聽見有人打開前門，所以我想他應該拿到屋外了。 屋外哪裡？我也不要那把刀在院子裡，屋子附近都不行。我聲音顫抖得更厲害，想像法蘭克一邊聽著，一邊低聲說：加油，寶貝，加油。 艾比搖搖頭，說：我不曉得，他出去了幾分鐘，我想不可能放在這附近，但妳要我問嗎？假如他藏在附近，我可以請他移走。 我一邊肩膀微微抽搐。隨便。好吧，我想，就請妳跟他說。丹尼爾當然不會乖乖照辦，但我還是得這麼說。要是他真的做了，肯定會好好戲弄跟監人員一番。 我連他下樓都沒聽到，賈思汀說：我很老天，我實在不願意回想。我把燈關掉，坐在床角左搖右晃。之前玩牌的時候，我只想拋開一切、只想獨處，想得都要尖叫了。但是等到我真的一個人了，感覺卻更糟糕。因為颳風下雨，屋子不停地吱嘎作響，但我對天發誓，聽起來真的很像妳在頂樓走動，準備上床。我還他說著嚥了嚥口水，下顎肌肉緊繃。我還聽見妳哼歌，像是<黑絲絨髮帶>，真的很清楚。我很想要只要我探頭到窗外，就能看見草坪上從妳房間照出來的燈光。我很想檢查，讓自己放心天哪，不是放心，妳知道我意思但我就是做不到，我連站都站不起來。我敢說只要拉開窗簾，就會看到妳房間的燈光照在草地上，但又怎樣？我又能做什麼？ 賈思汀渾身顫抖。賈思汀，艾比柔聲說：沒事的。 賈思汀的手指用力壓住嘴巴，深吸一口氣。嗯，他說：總之，丹尼爾有可能大聲上下樓梯，但我沒注意到。 我有聽見，小瑞說：我想，那天晚上兩公里內的聲音我都聽得清楚，院子盡頭再小的聲響也能讓我嚇一大跳。犯罪有個好處，你的耳朵會像蝙蝠一樣靈。他搖搖煙盒，扔進壁爐裡。賈思汀不由自主地張開嘴巴，又隨即閉上。小瑞拿走咖啡桌上艾比的煙盒。有些聲音聽來很有意思。 艾比豎起眉毛，將縫針小心翼翼地插在布邊上，布偶放在沙發，她意味深長冷冷地看了小瑞一眼。你真的想說那麼多嗎？她問：因為我沒辦法阻止你，但換作是我，在我打開潘朵拉的盒子之前，我會考慮得非常、非常仔細。 房裡一陣緊張沉默。艾比將雙手收在腿間，冷靜看著小瑞。 我醉了，小瑞突然打破沉默，厲聲說道：喝茫了。 過了半晌，賈思汀低頭對著咖啡桌說：你沒那麼醉。 我有，我整個人掛了，這輩子從來沒喝那麼醉過。 才怪，你要是那麼醉 我們那天晚上都喝得很兇，艾比打斷賈思汀，語氣平平地說：這一點也不意外，但沒有用。我認為我們都沒睡多少，隔天早上簡直是惡夢一場。所有人都驚惶不安，槁木死灰，頭暈宿醉，腦袋一團糊塗，連看東西都看不清楚，不曉得該不該報警，說妳失蹤了還是怎樣。小瑞和賈思汀想報警！ 不要讓妳繼續躺在老鼠橫行的破屋子裡，等村裡的鄉巴佬經過才發現妳，小瑞叼著香煙，搖搖艾比的打火機說：我們真是瘋了，對吧？ 但丹尼爾說這樣很怪，說妳是大人了，可以自己清晨出門散步，甚至蹺課不去學校都行。他打電話給妳，其實妳的手機明明就在廚房，但他還是照打不誤，因為他覺得手機裡應該要有我們打過一通電話。 他要我們去做早餐。Justin said. 這回賈思汀爭氣一點，撐到浴室才吐。Xiao Rui said. 我們一直吵個不停，艾比說道，她重新拿起布偶，不自覺機械似的反覆編織它的髮辮。 應不應該吃早餐，要不要報警，應不應該照常上學，要不要在家等妳回來。我的意思是，平常應該是丹尼爾或賈思汀留下，其他人去學校，但我們就是沒辦法，只要想到彼此分開，我們就心驚膽顫，我不曉得該怎麼解釋。我們已經受不了對方，就要拿刀砍人了。我和小瑞彼此尖叫，真的是尖叫。但只要有人提到分開，我就兩腿發軟，不騙妳。 你們知道我當時的感覺嗎？賈思汀悄聲說：我站在那裡，耳朵聽著你們三個爭執不休，眼睛看著窗外，等警察還是誰出現，突然想到很可能要好幾天，甚至幾星期。這樣的等待可能得持續好幾週，蕾西可能在那裡我知道自己就算到學校，連一天也撐不過去，更不用說幾星期。我覺得我們應該閉嘴，別再吵架，找張棉被，四個人縮著身子躲進去，把瓦斯打開。我當時就想那麼做。 我們連瓦斯都沒有，小瑞火大了：別再編肥皂劇了好不好，拜託！ 我想，我們心裡都有這個念頭，要是妳沒立刻被人發現，我們該怎麼辦？但沒有人敢提這一點，艾比說：後來警察出現，我們真的鬆了一大口氣。賈思汀先從窗子看到他們，他說：有人來了。我們本來還在大吼大叫，突然全都僵住不動。我和小瑞開始往窗邊走，但丹尼爾說：所有人坐下，快！於是，我們全都坐在廚房桌前，彷彿剛吃完早餐，等著門鈴響。 丹尼爾去應門，小瑞說：還會有誰？只有他冷靜得像冰一樣。我聽見他在走廊說話：是的，蕾西住在這裡，我們昨晚就沒見到她了；沒有，我們沒有吵架；沒有，我們並不擔心，只是不確定她今天會不會去學校；是不是出了什麼問題，警察先生？他一邊回答，語氣越來越擔心簡直完美到極點，太恐怖了。 艾比眉毛一挑。難道你希望他結結巴巴、語無倫次嗎？她反問道：要是換你去應門，你覺得會怎麼樣？ 小瑞又開始玩牌，聽完只是聳聳肩膀。 後來，艾比發現小瑞顯然不打算回答，便接著說：我發現我們得走出去，要是不走出去才奇怪。來的人是法蘭克和山姆，法蘭克靠牆站著，山姆在做筆記，把我們嚇得半死。兩人的衣服毫不起眼，臉上看不出任何表情，說話的樣子感覺不慌不忙，彷彿有得是時間我本來以為拉索文那兩個蠢蛋會來，結果我很快發現，眼前兩位顯然完全是不同等級，比他們聰明百倍，也危險百倍。我一直覺得最壞的已經過去了，不可能比前一天晚上更慘，但我一見到他們兩人，就曉得事情才剛開始。 他們很殘酷，賈思汀忽然飛來一句：非常、非常殘酷。他們一直繞圈子，最後才告訴我們。我們不停追問到底怎麼了，但他們只是洋洋自得，裝得一臉茫然，拒絕直接回答我們。 你們怎麼會認為她可能出事了？小瑞故意模仿法蘭克的都柏林腔，慵懶的語氣學得惟妙惟肖：難道誰有理由傷害她？是不是有人讓她害怕？ 那兩個混蛋後來總算告訴我們出事了，卻死也不講妳還活著。法蘭克只說什麼幾小時前有人發現她，就在這附近，她昨晚遇刺了之類的，故意讓我們聽了以為妳已經死了。 只有丹尼爾腦袋還醒著，艾比說：我眼淚差點就要奪眶而出。我已經忍了一個早上，免得眼睛看起來很可笑。他們讓我們知道出了事情，讓我鬆了好大一口氣只有丹尼爾單刀直入，當下就問：她還活著嗎？ 但他們卻沒答腔，賈思汀說：只是望著我們，一個字也沒說，好像在等什麼，感覺不知道過了幾百年。我就說他們很殘酷吧。 最後，小瑞說：法蘭克終於聳聳肩說：差點沒活下來。我們幾個聽了頭都快炸了。我是說，我們都已經呃，做好最壞打算，只想趕快把事情了結，可以好好關起門來，繼續精神崩潰，沒想到竟然這樣。天曉得我們會怎麼做，說不定當場抖出真相。但就在這時候，艾比好巧不巧忽然暈了過去。我一直想問妳，昏倒是真的嗎？或者是計畫的一部分？ 這一切都不是誰的計畫，艾比語氣尖酸：我也沒有昏倒，只是暈眩了一秒鐘。別忘了，我那天晚上沒睡多少。小瑞聽了獰笑一聲。 大夥兒立刻衝上前去，扶她坐下，拿水過來，賈思汀說：等她醒來，我們已經恢復冷靜 喔，是我們嗎？小瑞眉毛一挑說：你的嘴巴不是還像金魚般一開一闔？我很怕你會說出什麼蠢話，擔心到語無倫次，警察一定以為我是白癡：你們在哪裡發現她的？她人在哪裡？我們哪時可以見她他們雖然沒有回答，但起碼我試過了。 我盡力了，賈思汀聲音上揚，又開始語帶緊張。對你來說很簡單，用腦袋想想就好了：哦，她還活著，太好了。你又不在那裡，又不記得那間可怕的小屋 假如我沒聽錯，你在那裡就像公牛的乳房一樣沒用吧，不是嗎？ 你醉了。艾比冷冷說道。 知道嗎，小瑞像個嚇壞大人樂不可支的小孩，說：我想妳說得沒錯，而且我想我還會喝得更醉，你們誰有意見嗎？ No one answered.小瑞伸手拿酒，斜瞄了我一眼說道：妳錯過好戲了，蕾西。妳要是好奇艾比為什麼老把丹尼爾的