How the Gods Bargain

"How the Gods Bargain" is a short Cthulhu Mythos story by American author William Browning Spencer. It was first published in the S. T. Joshi-edited anthology The Madness of Cthulhu by Titan Books in October 2014.
== Synopsis ==
A senior Miskatonic University researcher whose name is given only as Jerry relates the tale of how he lost his childhood girlfriend Marissa to genius freshman Harley James. In the aftermath, the three teens discovered a mysterious building in the woods: Elder General Store, an eldritch structure whose interior does not obey the laws of space. After a time exploring, Jerry kills Harley in a jealous rage; shortly afterwards, the building disappears.
Many years later the building manifests once again. Jerry and Marissa decide to investigate and encounter Harley James - or a being impersonating him. While Harley and Marissa embrace, Jerry flees in terror, and once again the store dematerialises.
== Publication History ==
Since its debut in 2014, "How the Gods Bargain" has also been included in the collection of Spencer's own works, The Unorthodox Dr. Draper and Other Stories, published by Subterranean Press in July 2017.
Category:William Browning Spencer works
Category:Expanded Mythos Works