--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tessa was only half way down the corridor…" description: "\"Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught up to her -Will and Jem, walking on either side of her. \"you didn't really think we weren't ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg" --- # Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught… ![“Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught up to her -Will and Jem, walking on either side of her. "you didn't really think we weren't going to come along, did you?" Will asked, raising his hand and letting his witchlight fare up between his fingers, lighting the corridor to…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg) > “Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught up to her -Will and Jem, walking on either side of her. "you didn't really think we weren't going to come along, did you?" Will asked, raising his hand and letting his witchlight fare up between his fingers, lighting the corridor to daylight brightness. Charlotte, hurrying along ahead of them, turned and frowned, but said nothing. "I know you can't leave anything well alone," Tessa replied, looking straight ahead. "But I though better of Jem." "Where Will goes, I go," Jem said good-naturedly. "And besides, I'm as curious as he is.” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters confront a hidden threat, revealing loyalty, curiosity, and the tension between control and freedom. **In simple terms:** Friends help each other despite secrets. Key Takeaway Balance curiosity with respect for others’ autonomy. Themes friendship loyalty curiosity Mood tense adventurous Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - adventure - conflict resolution - teamwork - trust building Key Concepts fantasy character dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When does curiosity become intrusive? - How can loyalty be tested? A Different Perspective Blind curiosity can endanger others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brightness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brightness/) [Caught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught/) [Caught Jem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught-jem-1909070/) [Caught up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught-up/) [Charlotte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charlotte/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Daylight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daylight/) [Fingers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fingers/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Half way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-way/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hurrying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurrying/) [Jem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem/) [Jem Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem-said-232164/) [Jem Walking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem-walking-1909068/) [Letting Witchlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-witchlight-1909069/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Tessa Replied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tessa-replied-1909071/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Walking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walking/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“You are not really dying,” he said, the oddest tone to his voice, “are you?”Jem nodded. “So they tell me.”“I am sorry,” Will said.“No,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-are-not-really-dying-he-said-the-oddest-tone-to-his-voice-are-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Until death," Jem replied gently. "Those are the words of the oath. 'Until aught but death part thee and me.' Someday, Will, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/until-death-jem-replied-gently-those-are-the-words-of-the-oath-until/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Should we leave now?” “I need to finish my tea first,” Jem said. “Anyway, I don’t see what you’re so fired up about. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/should-we-leave-now-i-need-to-finish-my-tea-first-jem-said-anyway-i/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I thought you needed me," Jem said. "There is a wall you have built about yourself, Will, and I have never asked you why.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-thought-you-needed-me-jem-said-there-is-a-wall-you-have-built-about/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Your place is with me," Jem said. "It always Will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/your-place-is-with-me-jem-said-it-always-will-be/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I loved Jem- she said- I love him still, and he loved me, but i'm nobody's Will. My heart is my own. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-loved-jem-she-said-i-love-him-still-and-he-loved-me-but-i-m-nobody/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Jem gave her a wistful look. “Must you go? I was rather hoping that you’d stay and be a ministering angel, but if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-gave-her-a-wistful-look-must-you-go-i-was-rather-hoping-that-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must you go? I was rather hoping you'd stay and be a ministering angel, but if you must go, you must." "I'll stay," Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-you-go-i-was-rather-hoping-you-d-stay-and-be-a-ministering-angel/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Jem always said that Will rushed toward the end of a mission rather than proceeding in a measured manner, and that one must look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-always-said-that-will-rushed-toward-the-end-of-a-mission-rather/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Will is… difficult,” Jem said. “But family is difficult. If I didn’t think the Institute was the best place for you, Tessa, I wouldn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-is-difficult-jem-said-but-family-is-difficult-if-i-didn-t-think/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Zhi yin. Jem had told her once that it meant understanding music, and also a bond that went deeper than friendship. Jem played, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/zhi-yin-jem-had-told-her-once-that-it-meant-understanding-music-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You must behave as if return is certain, not a matter of chance", Jem said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-must-behave-as-if-return-is-certain-not-a-matter-of-chance-jem/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We spoke of how to say good-bye,” Jem said. “When Jonathan bid farewell to David, he said, ‘Go in peace, for as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-spoke-of-how-to-say-good-bye-jem-said-when-jonathan-bid-farewell/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Do you remember when we stood together on Blackfriars Bridge?” he asked softly, and his eyes were like that night had been, all black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-you-remember-when-we-stood-together-on-blackfriars-bridge-he-asked/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What are you doing following me around the back streets of London, you little idiot?” Will demanded, giving her arm a light shake. Cecily’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-are-you-doing-following-me-around-the-back-streets-of-london-you-2/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Brightness quotes > [God's glory is the created brightness that surrounds God’s revelation of himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-grudem/god-s-glory-is-the-created-brightness-that-surrounds-god-s-revelation/) [Wayne Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-grudem/) > [Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krishna. By distributing the holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati/only-an-empowered-personality-can-distribute-the-holy-name-of-the/) [Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati/) > [The studious silence of the library ... Thought is the thought of thought. Tranquil brightness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-studious-silence-of-the-library-thought-is-the-thought-of-thought/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Daily simple, sincere, and mighty prayers lift our lives to a higher spiritual altitude. In our prayers we praise God, give thanks to Him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/daily-simple-sincere-and-mighty-prayers-lift-our-lives-to-a-higher/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [But woe to him, who left to moan, Reviews the hours of brightness gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/but-woe-to-him-who-left-to-moan-reviews-the-hours-of-brightness-gone/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [A joyful life isn’t about others; it’s about the brightness that is associated with being alive. Your path to it is through anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/a-joyful-life-isn-t-about-others-it-s-about-the-brightness-that-is/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [Without good humour, learning and bravery can only confer that superiority which swells the heart of the lion in the desert, where he roars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/without-good-humour-learning-and-bravery-can-only-confer-that/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [For pain is perhaps but a violent pleasure? Who could determine the point where pleasure becomes pain, where pain is still a pleasure? Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/for-pain-is-perhaps-but-a-violent-pleasure-who-could-determine-the/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [His form had yet not lost All her original brightness, nor appear'd Less than archangel ruin'd, and th' excess Of glory obscur'd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/his-form-had-yet-not-lost-all-her-original-brightness-nor-appear-d/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [More than anything, one is struck by the light. Light everywhere. Brightness everywhere. Everywhere, the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/more-than-anything-one-is-struck-by-the-light-light-everywhere/) [Ryszard Kapuscinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/) > [Squeeze your eyes closed, as tight as you can, and think of all your favorite autumns, crisp and perfect, all bound up together like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/squeeze-your-eyes-closed-as-tight-as-you-can-and-think-of-all-your/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Writing is to descend like a miner to the depths of the mine with a lamp on your forehead, a light whose dubious brightness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-cendrars/writing-is-to-descend-like-a-miner-to-the-depths-of-the-mine-with-a/) [Blaise Cendrars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-cendrars/) > [What a view, i said again. The river was blank and mindless with beauty. It was the most glorious thing I have ever seen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dickey/what-a-view-i-said-again-the-river-was-blank-and-mindless-with-beauty/) [James Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dickey/) > [It is no secret that the moon has no light of her own, but is, as it were, a mirror, receiving brightness from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/it-is-no-secret-that-the-moon-has-no-light-of-her-own-but-is-as-it/) [Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/) > [Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He is hidden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-newman/christ-is-already-in-that-place-of-peace-which-is-all-in-all-he-is-on/) [John Henry Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-newman/) [Browse all 287 Brightness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brightness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught up to her -Will and Jem, walking on either side of her. \"you didn't really think we weren't going to come along, did you?\" Will asked, raising his hand and letting his witchlight fare up between his fingers, lighting the corridor to daylight brightness. Charlotte, hurrying along ahead of them, turned and frowned, but said nothing. \"I know you can't leave anything well alone,\" Tessa replied, looking straight ahead. \"But I though better of Jem.\" \"Where Will goes, I go,\" Jem said good-naturedly. \"And besides, I'm as curious as he is.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cassandra Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corridor-when-they-caught-up-to-her/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brightness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corridor-when-they-caught-up-to-her/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/cassandra-clare-9_brightness_tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corrido_976485.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Tessa was only half way down the corridor when they caught up to her -Will and Jem, walking on either side…” — Cassandra Clare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cassandra Clare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Tessa was only half way down...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corridor-when-they-caught-up-to-her/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/tessa-was-only-half-way-down-the-corridor-when-they-caught-up-to-her/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```