---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The vampires start to close in…"
description: "\"“The vampires start to close in. \"shouldn't we stand back to back or something?\" Clary said. \"What? Why?\" \"I don't know. In movies that's what they do ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg"
---

#  The vampires start to close in. "shouldn't we stand back…

![“The vampires start to close in. &quot;shouldn't we stand back to back or something?&quot; Clary said. &quot;What? Why?&quot; &quot;I don't know. In movies that's what they do in this kind of...situation.&quot; Jace laughs, &quot;You, you are the most-&quot; The most what?&quot; Clary demands indignantly. Jace: Nothing. This isn't a situation…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg)

> ““The vampires start to close in. "shouldn't we stand back to back or something?" Clary said. "What? Why?" "I don't know. In movies that's what they do in this kind of...situation." Jace laughs, "You, you are the most-" The most what?" Clary demands indignantly. Jace: Nothing. This isn't a situation okay? I save that word for when things get really bad." "Really bad? This isn't really bad? What do you want, a nuclear-" The windows exploded inward in a shower of broken glass. Through the shattered windows came dozens of sleek shapes, four footed and low to the ground, their coats scattering moonlight and broken bits of glass. Wolves. "Now, this," said Jace, "is a situation””

[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 danger and debate tactics, highlighting fear and improvisation in crisis.

**In simple terms:** Facing danger, they argue about the best way to act.

Key Takeaway

Act decisively despite uncertainty.

Themes

fear teamwork improvisation danger dialogue

Mood

tense anxious dramatic

Type

literary dialogue dramatic

When to use this quote

- battle scenes
- team decision making
- high tension moments

Key Concepts

survival instincts communication conflict resolution

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you choose action over hesitation?
- When does humor help in danger?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on clichés can hinder creative problem solving.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Broken glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken-glass/) [Clary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary/) [Clary Demands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary-demands-6121263/) [Clary Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary-said/) [Jace Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jace-situation-6121264/) [Said Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-jace/) [Situation Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation-jace-6121262/)

## Related quotes

> [Traded him for Alec," Clary said. "Not permanently" "No," said Jace. "Just for a few hours. Unless I don't come back. In which case,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/traded-him-for-alec-clary-said-not-permanently-no-said-jace-just-for/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Isabelle drifted over, Jace a pace behind her. She was wearing a long black dress with boots and an even longer cutaway coat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/isabelle-drifted-over-jace-a-pace-behind-her-she-was-wearing-a-long/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Why are you doing this?" Clary said. "Sebastian, why are you saying all these things?" "Because I finally can," Sebastian said. "You've no idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-are-you-doing-this-clary-said-sebastian-why-are-you-saying-all/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Oh, come on, Jace," Clary said. "You can't wait for perfect behavior from everyone. Adults screw up too. Go back to the Institute and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/oh-come-on-jace-clary-said-you-can-t-wait-for-perfect-behavior-from/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“The morning star isn't a stat," Clary said grumpily. It's a planet. I learned that in astronomy class." "Mundane education is regrettably prosaic," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-morning-star-isn-t-a-stat-clary-said-grumpily-it-s-a-planet-i/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“In fact, it wouldn't hurt if you just spent the next few days inside. You can lock yourself in your room like Isabelle." "I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/in-fact-it-wouldn-t-hurt-if-you-just-spent-the-next-few-days-inside/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“The Queen‘s smile was wide and terrible. “What if I told you she could be freed by a kiss?” “You want Jace to kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-queen-s-smile-was-wide-and-terrible-what-if-i-told-you-she-could/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Jace fitted the key into the lock, glancing over his shoulder at Simon. “I’m not sure you’re quite sensible of the honor I’m doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jace-fitted-the-key-into-the-lock-glancing-over-his-shoulder-at-simon/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> ["Do you remember back at the hotel when you promised that if we lived, you’d get dressed up in a nurse’s outfit and give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-you-remember-back-at-the-hotel-when-you-promised-that-if-we-lived/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Everyone knows Valentine's son." "I know, but - when Emma saw you, she acted like you were her celebrity crush. Like you were on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/everyone-knows-valentine-s-son-i-know-but-when-emma-saw-you-she-acted/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“But she’s so beautiful.” “So are you,” said Jace, “and very different from how she is, and she can’t help but notice that. She’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-she-s-so-beautiful-so-are-you-said-jace-and-very-different-from/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I don't care about risk to me," he hissed, leaning forward across the table. "I care about what happens to you! Dammit, I'm practically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-care-about-risk-to-me-he-hissed-leaning-forward-across-the/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“You see someone more interesting than me?" asked Simon. In the dream he was mysteriously an expert dance. He steered her through the crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-see-someone-more-interesting-than-me-asked-simon-in-the-dream-he/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Everyone knows that quote because of the Doors." Jace looked at her blankly. "The Doors. They were a band." "If you say so," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/everyone-knows-that-quote-because-of-the-doors-jace-looked-at-her/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Not everything, Jace, is about you ," Clary said furiously. "Possibly," Jace said, "but you have to admit that the majority of things are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/not-everything-jace-is-about-you-clary-said-furiously-possibly-jace/)

[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 Broken glass quotes

> [“What do I do now? I didn't think my heart could break any more than it already has. The pieces still inside of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-m-ward/what-do-i-do-now-i-didn-t-think-my-heart-could-break-any-more-than-it/)

[H.M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-m-ward/)

> [“Ready for the cheap escape On the brink of self destruction Widespread panic Broken glass inside my head Bleeding down these thoughts ~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-gambhir/ready-for-the-cheap-escape-on-the-brink-of-self-destruction/)

[Tanya Gambhir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-gambhir/)

> [“The trouble with rules, though, is that you'll always be tempted to break one- for the right reasons, due to unavoidable circumstances, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-kade/the-trouble-with-rules-though-is-that-you-ll-always-be-tempted-to/)

[Stacey Kade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-kade/)

> [The universe always moves from an ordered state to a disordered one; that a glass may fall to the ground and shatter yet you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/the-universe-always-moves-from-an-ordered-state-to-a-disordered-one/)

[Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/)

> [Alcohol whipped me. Alcohol and I had many, many marvelous times together. We laughed, we talked, we danced at the party together; then one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-crews/alcohol-whipped-me-alcohol-and-i-had-many-many-marvelous-times/)

[Harry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-crews/)

> [I wake up just like every other day with a fake smile on my face trying to brighten other peoples day but at night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wake-up-just-like-every-other-day-with-a-fake-smile-on-my-face/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on the broken glass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/don-t-tell-me-the-moon-is-shining-show-me-the-glint-of-light-on-the/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“We heard the Sermon on the Mount and I knew it was too complex, It didn't amount to anything more than what the broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/we-heard-the-sermon-on-the-mount-and-i-knew-it-was-too-complex-it/)

[Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/)

> [As it enters the ear, does it come in like broken glass, or does it come in like honey?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/as-it-enters-the-ear-does-it-come-in-like-broken-glass-or-does-it/)

[Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/)

> [“Dear Mr. Weston, Hello again. We were beginning to wonder what had happened to you. I guess things have been pretty quiet since the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/dear-mr-weston-hello-again-we-were-beginning-to-wonder-what-had/)

[Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/)

> [“Amory had loved himself in Eleanor, so now what he hated was only a mirror. Their poses were strewn about the pale dawn like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/amory-had-loved-himself-in-eleanor-so-now-what-he-hated-was-only-a/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London. My favorite quote. : ) Don't tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggi-allder/you-can-t-wait-for-inspiration-you-have-to-go-after-it-with-a-club/)

[Reggi Allder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggi-allder/)

> [“Come on," he says. "And try to avoid the broken glass. Can't have you going to the nurse and meeting some other guy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-hathaway/come-on-he-says-and-try-to-avoid-the-broken-glass-can-t-have-you/)

[Jill Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-hathaway/)

> [“Afghan Girl Ice blue eyes that look to the morning sky as I knit the pieces and remnants of my life. I have No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-stewart/afghan-girl-ice-blue-eyes-that-look-to-the-morning-sky-as-i-knit-the/)

[Edna Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-stewart/)

> [“There was a low growling sound and the Munstermobile came gliding up out of the parking garage, dripping water from its gleaming surface like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/there-was-a-low-growling-sound-and-the-munstermobile-came-gliding-up/)

[Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/)

[Browse all 217 Broken glass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken-glass/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The vampires start to close in. \"shouldn't we stand back to back or something?\" Clary said. \"What? Why?\" \"I don't know. In movies that's what they do in this kind of...situation.\" Jace laughs, \"You, you are the most-\" The most what?\" Clary demands indignantly. Jace: Nothing. This isn't a situation okay? I save that word for when things get really bad.\" \"Really bad? This isn't really bad? What do you want, a nuclear-\" The windows exploded inward in a shower of broken glass. Through the shattered windows came dozens of sleek shapes, four footed and low to the ground, their coats scattering moonlight and broken bits of glass. Wolves. \"Now, this,\" said Jace, \"is a situation”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Cassandra Clare"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t-we-stand-back-to-back-or/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Broken glass"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t-we-stand-back-to-back-or/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/cassandra-clare-9_broken-glass_the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t_3232637.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The vampires start to close in. \"shouldn't we stand back to back or something?\" Clary said. \"What? Why?\" \"I…” — 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": "“The vampires start to close in....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t-we-stand-back-to-back-or/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-vampires-start-to-close-in-shouldn-t-we-stand-back-to-back-or/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
