When I was seven, an accident turned me into a Shadow Walker.
Spirit money, burial garments, gold and silver ingots—offerings burned for the dead—I could use them all in the world of the living.
On New Year's Day, my younger cousin Rose came to visit with her family. They'd struck it rich a few years back, and she'd developed a princess complex to match. The moment she spotted my designer outfit, her eyes went green with envy. Limited edition. Only 999 pieces worldwide. Money and connections couldn't buy it.
She asked to borrow it for a few days. Wanted to show it off at school.
I refused without hesitation.
She didn't say anything at the time. But after their family left, I opened my closet.
The clothes were gone. Along with a bag of "money."
I called her immediately. She'd already blocked me.
Monday morning, I walked into school and found her surrounded by classmates, basking in their praise while wearing my limited-edition outfit.
I marched over, face dark. "Take off my clothes. Now."
Rose looked me up and down, lip curling. "You? A nobody like you couldn't afford this outfit even if you sold yourself. What makes you think you can claim it's yours?"
The classroom erupted in laughter.
——
I watched the dark energy slowly gathering between her brows, and my frown deepened.
That "designer outfit" she was flaunting? It wasn't what they thought it was.
To my eyes, it was a burial garment. Clothes meant only for the dead.
When someone living wears it, the yin energy seeps into them. Best case? Bad luck and constant illness. Worst case? Death.
And anyone close to her would be dragged down too.
To Rose, I probably seemed petty. I had nice things but wouldn't share. But I had my reasons. I couldn't risk her life just to seem generous, could I?
What I never expected was that after I refused, she'd sneak into my room and steal not just the clothes—but a whole bag of spirit money too.
Of course, to living eyes, that "spirit money" looked like cold, hard cash.
Watching her smug expression, part of me wanted to let it go. She liked stealing so much? Fine. Let her wear it until the consequences caught up.
But I couldn't quite bring myself to abandon her.
After a moment's hesitation, I tried again. "Rose, you can't wear that. It'll hurt you. Give it back."
My restraint only made her bolder.
She grabbed her textbooks and hurled them at my face. The thick stack slammed into me hard enough to make my whole body jolt.
Rose snorted. "Delia, don't think being my older cousin gives you the right to accuse me of theft in front of everyone."
"Everyone knows your family's broke and mine's loaded."
"You? Afford designer brands?"
"Hahahaha..."
The class dissolved into laughter again. They looked at me like I was an idiot.
Rose had money and spent it freely. Sweet face, pretty smile. Boys and girls alike flocked to her, eager to stay in her orbit, willing to run errands just to keep her happy.
As for me—I wasn't bad-looking either. But I was a Shadow Walker.
