Something Wicked This Way Comes

Later that day, the “Dwarf” shares his information about where the two boys are hiding with Mr. Dark. When Mr. Dark searches the sewer grate, he finds it empty.

Charles is in the library that evening after having seen the carnival and Mirror Maze briefly for himself that afternoon. He gathers books he believes could be helpful. Some of these are about the occult, the devil, demons, and witches. As he waits for Will and Jim, he recalls two lines from Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “‘By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes’” (171).

Will and Jim arrive late at the library after hiding all day. They tell Charles everything they have experienced with the carnival and are shocked when he says he believes them. Charles shows them an old newspaper ad from 1888 for the Cooger and Dark carnival. They learn the same carnival has been coming into town since 1846, every few years and always in October. Charles recalls an old sermon about “Autumn People,” evil people who live perpetually in the autumn months and feast on human souls. Charles explains that most people are half autumn and half summer. He declares that his purpose in life is to help the boys.