761Please respect copyright.PENANAX8xv0d0PtD
761Please respect copyright.PENANAWEElNE1h0K
靜露隔天早上就聽說菈瑞兒醒來,她趕緊換了衣服,從食堂摸來幾顆蘋果,去醫療所探望。761Please respect copyright.PENANAFdwY6L8l5h
761Please respect copyright.PENANAhWd1ymxlMd
任務的通知,中午的時候下來了。761Please respect copyright.PENANAnDNuHxScJD
當時靜露正坐在菈瑞兒的病床旁,幫她削蘋果,布羅靠在窗邊磨他的木雕。761Please respect copyright.PENANAR45w8Mb03b
761Please respect copyright.PENANA0lZP0K00VP
教官並沒有要求靜露與布羅迴避,而是直接把三份一樣的文件遞給他們。761Please respect copyright.PENANAKI84sUcSrl
761Please respect copyright.PENANAMIKqXL0zt3
任務主要的內容,就像昆斯先生之前預擬的一樣,要將醫療所和探索隊本年度分析的最新資料,護送到新雪梨,並交換有關殭屍病毒異變的情報。761Please respect copyright.PENANAxjpZR8gzRL
若到年底還沒有蒐集到情報,就撤退返回,並報告狀況。761Please respect copyright.PENANATzNBCM45Cu
除此之外,也要打探摩頓與維塔的背景。761Please respect copyright.PENANAnKBz2en4gV
761Please respect copyright.PENANALsTdvXrJlo
「先生,」菈瑞兒看向教官說:「我的狀況恐怕無法即刻與他們啟程。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAjAXUM8oRCb
761Please respect copyright.PENANAQIOSErj4VT
身形高大的教官,在高度不到三米的室內顯得特別有壓迫感,他低頭看著辦躺在床上的菈瑞兒,面容嚴肅的宣布:761Please respect copyright.PENANAK1duiiS9ms
「允許妳復原後再出發與他們會和。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAgmawyNwJhp
761Please respect copyright.PENANAV37eVW4IVz
「是。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAtMMXsxDLDV
761Please respect copyright.PENANARy1FxlLzWb
教官離開後,靜露憂心忡忡地看著菈瑞兒,萬萬沒有想到昆斯先生竟連菈瑞兒都點名,菈瑞兒滿臉興味的仔細閱讀任務檔案,布羅則緩緩收拾了木屑與工具,將東西都收到袋子裡,起身準備離開。761Please respect copyright.PENANAUD50rGi8d1
761Please respect copyright.PENANA4A1hDuJxYc
「走吧。」他說,「我們得先決定好怎麼到那邊。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAXeIEzQEcmn
761Please respect copyright.PENANAyh2MyUIF4k
她點點頭,看著布羅靠到病床旁,俯身在菈瑞兒額上吻了下,兩人輕聲互道再見後,他們離開了醫療所。761Please respect copyright.PENANALmPvkABE5o
761Please respect copyright.PENANAwifJ4fkllq
「啊,對了!」回大屋的路上,靜露突然想到什麼的大叫一聲,「忘記去看崔佛啊!」761Please respect copyright.PENANAvHIe6nt419
761Please respect copyright.PENANA6GElGVt0gG
她急忙要回頭折返,卻被布羅拉住了衣領:761Please respect copyright.PENANAYAURv1vmWR
「別麻煩了,」他低沉的嗓音,像是壓抑著什麼,「我們趕時間。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAQELbFrXPIi
761Please respect copyright.PENANAhI3IyvGRth
「只是去看看,跟他說我們年底才回來啊,不會花太多時間的。」761Please respect copyright.PENANA9jCzcWWGnT
761Please respect copyright.PENANAHWzQdehIEU
他搖搖頭,依然是那句:「別麻煩了。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAq543sJ4mue
然後,聲音略顯沉啞的說:「他被轉到『黑房』了。」761Please respect copyright.PENANABGF5sGNKrP
761Please respect copyright.PENANAxzOAVB9YBL
靜露瞪大眼瞠愣,心下一沉。761Please respect copyright.PENANAB68PbaAWo2
『黑房』,是隔絕聲音與光線的房間,乍聽之下有點像禁閉室,但她以前曾好奇去偷看過,那讓她想到叔叔相館裡洗照片的房間。761Please respect copyright.PENANA2CDXZquTO7
761Please respect copyright.PENANAf5BFv5l93D
以前那個地方被用來監禁感染者--也就是被殭屍病毒入侵後,有高度感染風險的人--觀察員可以從房間高處的窗口開縫察視感染者在裡面的活動,並判斷接下來的處置。761Please respect copyright.PENANAVur70njLK7
裡面的燈光非常幽黯,據說是為了要讓感染者放鬆精神,好提高觀察員判斷的準確度。但從以前到現在,真正從『黑房』走出來的人也沒幾個……761Please respect copyright.PENANAliS50vf3NL
761Please respect copyright.PENANAAxPMjmboPk
崔佛的抗體……八成……761Please respect copyright.PENANAMNiTO0WoSa
761Please respect copyright.PENANAQNBLrjVRLo
她沒有再費事跟布羅爭論,只跟在那高壯的身影後,回大屋與奈特會合。761Please respect copyright.PENANAoQF9lYLBho
761Please respect copyright.PENANAEqYJOIx4li
土瓮城到新雪梨之間,是將近1000公里的距離。761Please respect copyright.PENANA5YD12biCjd
761Please respect copyright.PENANA5bIHVBd8uM
「我們不能開車去。」奈特說。761Please respect copyright.PENANAhbdWFY6MYH
車輛是極重要的資產,他們有可能在那個大都市待到年底,萬一被偷或壞了,那可是得不償失;反倒是他們回程的時候,有機會或許可以買部車回土瓮。761Please respect copyright.PENANA3kQe5JlAoA
761Please respect copyright.PENANAe1icJZyZhR
「也不可能騎馬。」布羅說。761Please respect copyright.PENANAhsgoUJrqGB
馬匹雖然不像車引擎的聲音會被殭屍注意,但若被殭屍看到馬背上的人可就糟了。平時,在土瓮城周邊騎馬巡視什麼的,是極安全又簡單的事,但這可是近千里的長征,馬匹體力的消耗,絕對會是他們安危的致命傷。761Please respect copyright.PENANAVINJdQpc7u
761Please respect copyright.PENANA7wdPxRCPZF
靜露想起以前在某部知名殭屍片中,看過騎腳踏車平安繞過殭屍群而不被發現的劇情……但她馬上在奈特與布羅看白癡般的眼神下,閉上嘴巴,乖乖聽從他們的結論。761Please respect copyright.PENANATcuufDfc7f
761Please respect copyright.PENANAe0dtNBCiOs
他們徒步。761Please respect copyright.PENANAx9PYl8hOxB
761Please respect copyright.PENANAoPWopO0O9h
761Please respect copyright.PENANA7wBvPofznZ
761Please respect copyright.PENANA1gW6tjo8G9
761Please respect copyright.PENANAFhfcEzEwzV
761Please respect copyright.PENANAZd8Mzi8kod
全身上下的裝備足足超過十公斤。761Please respect copyright.PENANAbj2on52fJs
在盛夏炎陽的脅迫下,他們只能趁清晨與黃昏的時候,避開舊人類的遺址區域行動。每天有八小時的時間移動,正午與夜晚就到樹上藏匿休息,幸運一點的時候,他們會找到荒野間的荒廢小屋,但他們都擠在閣樓或地下室睡覺,並輪流看守安全。761Please respect copyright.PENANAr7ZEKqW1ar
今天傍晚,他們在一片荒廢的農場中找到還算堅固的穀倉。761Please respect copyright.PENANA1rUM4dRBLE
761Please respect copyright.PENANAon3DHf6TAh
「還滿乾淨的嘛!」靜露撥開掛在門上滿滿的藤蔓,查看裡面的狀況。761Please respect copyright.PENANAllEK8j3Mby
761Please respect copyright.PENANAKPZJ0Q0EHB
接下來,就是勇者時間了。761Please respect copyright.PENANAx0DojxWBYS
761Please respect copyright.PENANAF7q3JPpoWt
他們確認附近沒有立即性的危險後,馬上將大門關上鎖好,並確認窗戶都被封死後,開始翻箱倒櫃,蒐集任何可利用的東西。761Please respect copyright.PENANAG9AeEl3Rqe
761Please respect copyright.PENANAv4CamXiK8l
「這機器不行了,」布羅翻弄著一件破損頗嚴重的機械。761Please respect copyright.PENANAZInxhWiwdF
761Please respect copyright.PENANAyqxTfqtaBe
「拆光它,把零件帶到那邊去賣。」奈特從箱子裡面拉出一些帆布,他將布抖開,掛起來將透光的窗戶都蓋住。761Please respect copyright.PENANAZReyFWTvPf
761Please respect copyright.PENANAbb8hqlRvkm
靜露拿竿子戳翻著乾草堆,一群小蜥蜴竄了出來,她面不改色的迅速衝上去抓了兩三隻,裝到袋子裡。761Please respect copyright.PENANAb0G8cKkUK7
「明天早餐可以加菜囉。」她搖一搖袋子,涼涼的說。761Please respect copyright.PENANA9NGCpuwMO3
761Please respect copyright.PENANAEgkCgtdyFz
已經打開工具箱,正在拆解值錢的金屬零件的布羅聽了咧開嘴笑,抬頭看靜露,搖搖頭說:「不用等到明天早上。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAnH7oq8dNFs
761Please respect copyright.PENANAvxbPyh0k66
「什麼意思?」761Please respect copyright.PENANAIJGnVq9gtr
761Please respect copyright.PENANAPIiWOFzsgi
外頭突然傳來轟隆聲響。761Please respect copyright.PENANArWB407FIV2
761Please respect copyright.PENANAQBpT8cbHPU
「就是這個意思。」奈特說完,只聽見更大聲的轟轟聲壟罩了整個穀倉。761Please respect copyright.PENANAYT1Y8JNHF7
761Please respect copyright.PENANAb8O4NbaEzk
下雨了。761Please respect copyright.PENANAEimN63Nsdo
761Please respect copyright.PENANA5UgcKc0rVu
靜露傻眼,剛剛他們進來的時候,外面天空還沒什麼雲,只有風比前幾天傍晚大了點,沒想到他們一進來,馬上就下大雨了,還打雷!761Please respect copyright.PENANA65ESnVz61a
761Please respect copyright.PENANAJpJC57X87h
『轟隆--』761Please respect copyright.PENANADd4TOeyQ2a
震耳欲聾的雷聲不斷響起,鐵皮屋頂的穀倉內,更是被滂沱的大雨打得聽不見說話聲。761Please respect copyright.PENANAPF4Sg3mNsz
這種時候,殭屍大多會聚集在人類舊城附近躲雨,他們待在曠野反而安全;而且這種雷雨之夜,生火也不太會被注意。761Please respect copyright.PENANA9xVeDF5gv0
761Please respect copyright.PENANA3RYcXKPRFo
靜露正準備生火時奈特在櫃子裡發現一盒火柴。761Please respect copyright.PENANACu0G4XTRiu
「真方便,」她咕噥著一邊點火,「早知道剛剛就多抓幾隻,好幾天沒吃熱的東西了……」761Please respect copyright.PENANAvIJl0IaMoM
761Please respect copyright.PENANAVsncqtZSnR
他們離開土瓮城已經十五天了。761Please respect copyright.PENANADNRa25jS4F
每天都吃樹上的果實或硬梆梆的乾糧果腹,今天終於能吃肉,沒有什麼比這更幸福的事了--只差沒有鹽巴調味而已。761Please respect copyright.PENANAIeoMZTxuqj
761Please respect copyright.PENANALN2l88fb7A
布羅靈巧的大手將穀倉內他們翻到大東西全部解體,蒐集到的金屬整整有一大袋;奈特到外頭接了乾淨的雨水進來,將蜥蜴的內臟掏出來洗乾淨,用砂土將血水掩蓋掉後,連皮一起放在火上烤;靜露則顧著火堆,時不時丟個木柴或乾草進去燒。761Please respect copyright.PENANAkT3OxsfhIs
761Please respect copyright.PENANA2OWq9MbYzq
已經入夜,雖然滂沱的雷雨持續下著,他們仍訓練有素的將交談的機會降到最低。不一會兒,三串蜥蜴都熟了,他們團團坐下,沉默地咀嚼晚餐。761Please respect copyright.PENANAOuQmseNOhI
761Please respect copyright.PENANA1Hp8kkwuep
撥開皮後,鮮嫩多汁的蜥蜴肉就在裡頭,吃起來跟雞肉有點像,不過沒有調味,所以隱約有點腥味……等她錢存夠了,就跟菈瑞兒他們集資開個餐館吧,只要弄到茶葉什麼的,也可以賣飲料,她搞不好還可以假裝意外發現奶茶,然後再假裝意外發現樹薯粉,再這邊賣珍珠奶茶……唔,如果有錢可以買地,她就養雞,然後賣炸雞排好了……靜露一邊嚼著嘴裡的東西,一邊天馬行空的打如意算盤。761Please respect copyright.PENANApnLni9tWGj
761Please respect copyright.PENANA6v9D837IKe
『喀嚓』一聲異響,她回神,看見奈特不知何時已將十字弩架在手上,瞄準大門的方向。761Please respect copyright.PENANA0AC50TUmq5
761Please respect copyright.PENANA1NHOdOKA3N
「???!」發生了什麼事!?她緊張了起來,看向布羅。761Please respect copyright.PENANAFLP8J7m69Y
761Please respect copyright.PENANASR25hIAbxL
布羅悄悄起身,用鐵桶將火堆蓋住,整個室內瞬間陷入黑暗。他抓著斧頭,神不知鬼不覺地摸到門邊,對靜露比了個手勢,她馬上會意過來,沿著門框輕巧攀上牆壁,用繩子將自己懸吊在梁上,攤開網子準備就緒;同時,奈特也已經躲到後方的乾草堆裡,將自己埋在裡面。761Please respect copyright.PENANArxLSiRyjpA
761Please respect copyright.PENANAgTkCnNSIoD
布羅手抓住門把,輕輕的將穀倉大門拉開,斧頭舉高準備隨時劈下。761Please respect copyright.PENANAPs5KJ15rKC
761Please respect copyright.PENANAZLhGxn1iBy
雷雨滂沱的門外,刺眼的閃電劃過眼前,隨即『轟隆--』一聲震耳欲聾的雷響,靜露頭皮發麻了一下,以為會有一整批的殭屍衝進門來。761Please respect copyright.PENANAuCQ94rIs7E
761Please respect copyright.PENANACC0mrpwjXZ
但沒有殭屍。761Please respect copyright.PENANAwqgM7YNRKT
761Please respect copyright.PENANAdgqhlSaat8
「嗨,可以借我躲個雨嗎?我快冷斃了。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAcsSn1GizzJ
761Please respect copyright.PENANAO4nG9L8qBn
雷鬼頭、大鬍子、寬鬆的衣服和破爛爛的牛仔褲。761Please respect copyright.PENANAgch6wyXkTU
大鬍子摩頓咧嘴笑了笑,對著倒吊的靜露揮手,「嗨!需要幫忙嗎?」761Please respect copyright.PENANAVqTnwkRts6
761Please respect copyright.PENANAnjiuD8HK7l
靜露一臉癡呆的搖搖頭。761Please respect copyright.PENANAKyvJeEfVYD
761Please respect copyright.PENANAfvLLIlNzyP
他大喇喇地走進來。761Please respect copyright.PENANAnIQPmP2VKf
「噢不,別告訴我你們把火熄了。」他說著,一臉失望地看著倒扣的鐵桶。761Please respect copyright.PENANAsv8keocyt2
761Please respect copyright.PENANAhEhkyBGx0g
「這種程度不會熄的。」布羅已經關上門,微笑著走過來將桶子挪開,室內瞬間又重現光明,「你什麼時候跟上來的?」761Please respect copyright.PENANAqHlr9DkdV3
761Please respect copyright.PENANAyDSemIgEUo
「大概五天前吧。」摩頓動作俐落地將上衣和褲子剝個精光,全身上下只剩內褲的一屁股坐下,「你什麼時候知道的?」761Please respect copyright.PENANA95FbuhJE2p
761Please respect copyright.PENANA1Nc6EL4wav
「差不多時間。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAJd24PTW7sD
761Please respect copyright.PENANAawNF7OPazW
摩頓訝異的挑眉,然後不懷好意的取笑:「喲,你比那邊的帥哥還行嘛!」他指指從草堆中爬出來的奈特,「我還以為要等到進新雪梨才會被發現呢。」761Please respect copyright.PENANA8vqosFHkR7
761Please respect copyright.PENANAQZUVU8fQ7k
奈特對摩頓的挑釁完全沒有任何反應,他面無表情的將身上的草屑拍乾淨,往靜露身邊坐下,剛好擋在靜露與摩頓中間。761Please respect copyright.PENANAOUd907QtPm
761Please respect copyright.PENANAusYsjMt5rW
摩頓見他一點動怒的跡象也沒,無趣的聳聳肩,然後突然想到什麼的拍了下大腿叫道:「噢對了,我帶了……伴手禮……」他解開綁在旁邊的一個麻布袋,拿出裡面裝著的東西,「喏,幫你們晚餐加菜,麻煩順便分我一份啦!」761Please respect copyright.PENANAPxJVE6LGqr
761Please respect copyright.PENANAcxGCqfIORI
那是一隻超肥超大隻的藍舌蜥蜴。761Please respect copyright.PENANAajSRgqVLDp
761Please respect copyright.PENANAC9Vgxq0S5z
靜露噗哧一聲笑出來。761Please respect copyright.PENANAaRwfEANq9M
761Please respect copyright.PENANANiDG1ixbed
「啊,」摩頓看到了他們丟在地上吃剩的蜥蜴頭,「看來這家子要在你們肚子裡團員囉!」761Please respect copyright.PENANAzlqe9gMuO9
761Please respect copyright.PENANAj182PtQu4Y
761Please respect copyright.PENANAAphhcB0dbh
761Please respect copyright.PENANAuVUgF52wcj
761Please respect copyright.PENANA186StZLzL7
761Please respect copyright.PENANADchlB9yHSO
守夜的順序是布羅、摩頓、奈特、靜露。761Please respect copyright.PENANAGCCiHAlrpw
761Please respect copyright.PENANAX2CuYsX9DO
凌晨三點。761Please respect copyright.PENANAywiruWaNUZ
當她拉出懷錶看時間的時候,發現奈特還是多讓她睡了一個小時。761Please respect copyright.PENANAHAkUg015YN
忍不住有些內疚,她將自己的披風蓋在奈特身上,起身活動筋骨。761Please respect copyright.PENANAB8wjHqu6s9
761Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZWedF2cWQ
現在雖然是夏天,但日夜溫差極大,到了半夜仍會冷得讓人受不了。摩頓不曉得從哪裡挖來了幾顆大石頭,放在火上燒,等火堆變小了,那些石頭依舊散發著宜人的溫度,溫暖著室內,讓大家能有效率的補充睡眠。761Please respect copyright.PENANAW4kDtuoCiN
761Please respect copyright.PENANAYQTrz2CK9x
雨停了。761Please respect copyright.PENANA8wkfQLYoDV
她俐落的爬到穀倉的梁上,爬到最上層的通風口,鑽到屋頂外,巡視建築物周遭的安全。761Please respect copyright.PENANAqxnoSE9f1t
761Please respect copyright.PENANAOFtsVdbI41
月光亮得可以照得出影子,她看著褪色的紅皮屋頂上的自己。761Please respect copyright.PENANANohibl0qd0
「新雪梨。妳還是第一次要走到離家那麼遠的地方耶……」她對影子低喃。761Please respect copyright.PENANArANcjcUUX5
761Please respect copyright.PENANAt7ydUJx9We
對了,『家』。761Please respect copyright.PENANAQWjwaBRU2s
她從什麼時候開始覺得土瓮城是『家』了呢?761Please respect copyright.PENANAzNIFujKBV8
761Please respect copyright.PENANAgG1gS0efHS
從什麼時候開始,她已經沒有那麼想念爸媽、沒有想到咪咪和曉雯就哭、沒有再刻意提醒自己要找回家的路呢?761Please respect copyright.PENANAitKRHMjxZP
761Please respect copyright.PENANAH5sFfaiqs7
啊,可能是以前看咪咪的那些小說漫畫吧,感覺好像穿過去了都沒什麼機會回家的,所以她很早以前就放棄掙扎了,想說待下來也好,存錢夠了就申請退役去開小吃店,開心就營業不開心就關門,過閒閒的養老生活……761Please respect copyright.PENANArqH2k6mlFd
761Please respect copyright.PENANA5fTBK8fuGA
一股涼風吹了過來,她抖了一下,趕緊鑽回屋子裡。小心翼翼的將打結的頭髮梳開,她一邊任由思緒亂飄,一邊綁起複雜的麻花辮。761Please respect copyright.PENANAQzhDBzBwWC
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就這樣晃來晃去,東摸摸西碰碰,三不五時打個哈欠,再拆開辮子再綁起來,逼自己回想一下唐詩三百首打發時間……761Please respect copyright.PENANA7N47l1pXlF
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……垂死病中驚坐起,笑問客從何處來……怎麼好像怪怪的?很順口可是怪怪的,換一首好了,那個楊玉環的……761Please respect copyright.PENANACCLQ8ndi3S
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後宮佳麗三千人,鐵杵磨成繡花針……她皺眉,再換。761Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4gFGFQAP4
761Please respect copyright.PENANAUqWvRhU498
將軍百戰死,還來就菊……嗯?嗯嗯??這應該是咪咪當年亂改的版本吧?!她怎麼突然連原版的都記不起來了!怎麼辦?古人們知道遙遠的未來,已經再也沒有人記得最經典的詩詞了嗎?她好歹曾經是文組前段班的耶?!761Please respect copyright.PENANAPcwGYLZlw7
啊不過詩詞也不能當飯吃,算了。761Please respect copyright.PENANALKFYgocUTH
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她放棄繼續傷害自己腦細胞時,凌晨四點也到了。761Please respect copyright.PENANABPEyQk6KV4
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她走到布羅身邊蹲下來輕輕搖醒他。761Please respect copyright.PENANAn6Bryq6YHk
布羅馬上睜眼,對她微笑道謝。761Please respect copyright.PENANAL69TkgqrqQ
那和煦的鄰家大哥微笑,每次都有辦法讓她也憨憨的跟著傻笑。761Please respect copyright.PENANA60F3Qqdg1F
「妳再去睡一下吧,四點半出發。」他說。761Please respect copyright.PENANAYybl4pj0yB
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「嗯。」她點點頭,沒客氣地走回奈特身邊準備躺下。761Please respect copyright.PENANAHjFMvC409E
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布羅這時卻走到她身邊,俯身下來對她悄悄說:761Please respect copyright.PENANA5p1gECsgLI
「是奈特提醒的。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAsTbFnVeyDh
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「什麼?」她沒聽懂。761Please respect copyright.PENANAc8Rv9g81pv
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「那傢伙。」他大拇指比了比睡在對面的摩頓,「最先發現的不是我,是奈特。」761Please respect copyright.PENANAUUF1Pdl4vH
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「喔……我……」靜露看著布羅滿是善意的溫和雙眼,不知該作何回應,「嗯……謝謝你跟我說……?」她硬擠出一個笑容。761Please respect copyright.PENANAwmQ2Yii6o8
761Please respect copyright.PENANAd6v5xiB3qN
布羅滿意的再咧嘴微笑,然後食指放在唇上,對她比了個祕密的手勢,這才起身走開。761Please respect copyright.PENANA4pBmsEzwT1
761Please respect copyright.PENANAduQgsT56nb
她看著那渾身肌肉的猛男鄰家大哥背影,安心的闔上眼。761Please respect copyright.PENANAhZhCrbhian
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