The Dead Pixel Society

© 2026 Zoë Taylor

Heather actually beamed in the light of the lantern. “God damn. Maybe you really are one of us. Okay, let’s try a new one. Aria is what I call you, a nickname. Lewis Chambers is your scholar standard. Oh don’t look so surprised,” she laughed. “You think I’d let someone up here without finding out who they are?” She winked. “Anyway, you've got the trouser role, but up here in the shade you don't have to wear a mask. What's your true name?"

Nancy revealed the surprising fact that she remembered her time at home alone the days she wasn’t here the last week, though she didn’t remember any such time before that. Specifically, she remembered starting her period on Monday. Until now, she hadn’t remembered any specific event from any time I wasn’t dreaming about her, though it seemed like she implicitly knew some things that she should have known if she grew up at the same time as and down the street from me, even if her house was at an imaginary address on my street.

Monday morning. The last six weeks since the hotel have passed with barely a notice as I settle into new rhythms.

I'm washing my chest the way I always wash my chest and my hand passes over the left nipple and I stop.

There's something there.

Chapter 6

The warning came halfway through the fifth period.

“Pete,” he said softly, holding his arms open.

Pete's Vagina
87. Spikes
by Erin Halfelven

Things are getting grimmer at the striptease club where Sheila Coffin works undercover as a cocktail waitress. The pressure is so intense that the detectives and their client will have to run and hide until the police show up. If they show up...

Rain was pouring down as Vienna and Diana dashed out of their rented house and into the waiting car. The overcast skies and the approaching dusk hid their activities very well.

“Get in the back,” said the driver, who had identified himself as Bob Harrington.

A retelling of Pinocchio's most infamous detour, for the 2026 Summer Island Getaway Challenge. When Pinocchio runs away with a friend to Pleasant Island instead of coming home to become a real boy, he discovers the island has a very particular transformation in store for its visitors. And not everyone who escapes the island gets away clean.

Authors Note: This will be the last chapter of Mud Creek I post here. I finished the book recently and have been editing, adding, and rewriting some scenes. There are 2 chapters left after this one. Thank you for everyone who read and especially, Dallas, Emma Anne, Joanne, Teri Ann, Patricia, KayD and anyone else who commented. Those comments kept me writing all through the Winter to finish this. I can't thank you ladies enough. As for Mud Creek Sarah, her story is complete for now. As for this Sarah, who knows we're still writing.

Love you!

The Dead Pixel Society

© 2026 Zoë Taylor

Chapter Five
Banquet of Broken Dreams

The phone buzzed for about five seconds before she answered.

“Well, good morning. I suppose this means you’re in town?”

“Yeah, you busy?”

“You mean now, tonight or both?”

“Either, neither, both.”

“Just starting work now. Good tonight. You coming over?”

“Will we meet in town around six? Somewhere nice; my treat.”

“OK, send me a text.”

“Will do; see you then”.