The Dead Pixel Society

© 2026 Zoë Taylor

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The second the bell - not a modern chime, but a literal, 1970s classroom steel bell that Clarity never bothered to upgrade probably because it would break something else if they did, screamed the hour, he bolted. He didn’t wait for a dismissal, or for Madison and her entourage to clear the hell out of his way.

He just. Ran. He knew there were bathrooms somewhere in the next corridor. He swore he would never use a public bathroom if he could avoid it. He even showered at odd hours, like midnight when everyone else was asleep, just to have a modicum of privacy, but this? This was a saliva soaked emergency.

He barreled through the extremely heavy door without a second thought.

Subject: Welcome to Your Future, Lewis Chambers.
FROM: Clarity Academy Administration (No-Reply)
TO: L.Chambers_Scholar2026@ClarityPrep.edu

Welcome to the Spectrum of Excellence!

Congratulations, Lewis; your academic record and psychological aptitude scores have placed you in the top 2% of your cohort! At Clarity Academy, we don't just educate; we refine.

Your Digital Onboarding is Complete:

The Student-Link ID: Your Student-Link ID is your passport to the future! This ID is tied directly to your phone and your choice of wearable (Watch, Ring, or Athletic Shoe Tag) and grants you access to authorized student areas as well as cashless payment at the Student Union and Cafeteria. Ensure that your parents have thoroughly read the school’s Privacy Policy—in short we will never sell your data or spy on you! This closed loop NFC system is strictly for your convenience!

The Precision Wardrobe: Your "Scholar-Standard" attire has been sized based on your submitted scans. Remember: A clear mind begins with a clean silhouette!

Focus. Precision. Perfection: Clarity.

The Green-Eyed Maid Inn

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>“I’m going to be brutally honest with you, Ms. Riley,” Ms. Winters said - and she was indeed Ms. Winters. Anyone daring to call her Melissa, with the probable exception of Karen, the photographer I mentioned before, would very quickly learn the error of their ways. “If I hadn’t so much respect for my dearest friend Erika and the amount of work she’s put into her inheritance here, I’d be trying to poach you for my modeling agency right under her nose.”

I wanted to think she was joking, but her tone, expression, all seemed to suggest this was not something she would joke about. I had no idea what to even say to that.

“Thank you,” I managed. “I don’t think I’m cut out for modeling.”

“Nonsense,” Karen spoke up as she approached us now, having photographed me at least half a dozen times from different angles beforehand. “Anyone can be trained how to stand, walk, smile, pout, but a natural team player is worth double her weight in gold.”

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The Green-Eyed Maid Inn

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I didn’t rev the bike too hard because we were still in the body shop, but as soon as I rolled out into the open parking lot, I opened it up, doing a 720 before spinning out onto the street and right in front of a cop.

“Crap,” I said to myself, slowing down as the blue lights flashed in my mirror. By some miracle, they flipped back off again. I guess it was just a warning. I rolled up to the stop sign, turned around and gave them an ‘Okay’ hand signal before waving. The cop, looking a bit smug, waved back and nodded at me as if to say ‘Just behave yourself.’

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>

The Green-Eyed Maid Inn

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“Fans of the Midnight Dolls have been speculating for the last month over who the mysterious redhead was in that now infamous Raymond Max photo. Her publicist and bandmates are staying tight lipped,” she said. “I was wondering if you had any comment?”

“No comment,” I said before setting my cup down again. “On the record, anyway.”

She cracked a smile. “Off the record?” she asked.

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The Green-Eyed Maid Inn

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“I’m not mad,” Erika said. “I just want to hear the whole story from your perspective, and why at 5 o’clock last night Victoria McQueen was calling me begging for the address of ‘that sweet Riley girl you have on staff’,” she said. She wasn’t betraying whatever feelings she had about the situation, for better or for worse.

I gulped. I know she said she wasn’t mad, but there were oh so many other emotions she could be feeling behind that poker face.

I caught a glimpse of both Emily and Claire standing near the back offices, and Nick was on duty at the front desk again, too. If these walls had ears, they’d probably wish they had hands instead, so they could shield themselves from the coming bloodbath.

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12 year old Cassy Teegan is excited to spend the summer with her aunties June and Denise, not least because she gets to spend the summer as her true self, but also because Denise is finally going to teach her how to play guitar. But there's something unusual about the instrument that Denise brought home for Cassy as an early birthday surprise. The previous owner was quite attached to it, and it seems she isn't quite ready to let it go just yet.

Sword and Sacrifice:
A Feudal Fairy Tale

Every hundred years, a sacrifice is demanded in order to ensure the prosperity of the nation, but one young noble swordswoman has taken it upon herself, not to break the cycle, but to at least postpone the loss of another innocent life for the next hundred years. How will the deity that holds back the dark react to her gesture, though. Will her sacrifice be accepted, or will both she, and the woman she loves, be taken for daring to try and change the pact?

The Green-Eyed Maid Inn

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Set in the same universe as "Becoming Robin" and "Magic of the Kingdom" 17 year old Riley's life is going nowhere out of high school, and college in his own words "Just isn't for me," but a chance help wanted ad catches his attention, and changes the course of his life forever.

The Huntress
And the Hiker

©2025 Zoe “ScaerieTale” Taylor

A lost hiker on the verge of dehydration finds themselves in an otherworldly realm, and a predicament of mythical proportions in this modern day twist on a classical Greek tale.

----------=BigCloset Retro Classic=----------
Christmas Special!

 

Merry Christmas!!!! Snuck this one in for you guys, hope you enjoy and as always if you find yourself wanting to help Zoe and I supporting us and reading again go ahead and go on over to our patreon!

Here's another wonderful chapter of From the streets for you guys, remember if you want to read ahead, or read other works by us that you can't find here, or havent been finished yet, etc come check us out on patreon!

“Morning sunshine.” Katelyn said as Sophie woke up, “Coffee? Then you need to get dressed, and we’ll be meeting Susan at the school for the interview.”

Howdy everyone!!!!
It's been ages since Zoe or I posted a story here, but here you go Chapter 1 of From the streets, you can read ahead by far on our Patreon, enjoy!!!

-Ashleigh and Zoe

A month has passed, and Sarah's been enjoying life as Silvermist in the park, but can she handle life as a celebrity TV actress? She still gets nervous meeting "real" celebrities! And how will HRT affect her ability to play the role?