A Contract With My Demon
She pulled it out.
It was in her mother’s handwriting, but the ink was fresh as if it had been written seconds ago.
“Elara, if you’re reading this, you’ve found the Bureau. The Landlord didn't steal the souls. He stole the Ending. He realized that if humans knew how their stories ended, they wouldn't play the game. They wouldn't borrow. They wouldn't strive. He took the 'Happily Ever After' and the 'Tragic Finale' and locked them in this box, leaving everyone to wander in a permanent, hungry Middle.”