--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?\" There was…" description: "\"“WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?\" There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec glaring at them. He had dropped the empty bottl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg" --- # WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?" There was a sound of… ![“WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?" There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec glaring at them. He had dropped the empty bottle of wine he had been carrying, and there were bits of sparkly glass all over the cave floor. "WHY CAN'T YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO THESE HORRIBLE…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg) > ““WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?" There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec glaring at them. He had dropped the empty bottle of wine he had been carrying, and there were bits of sparkly glass all over the cave floor. "WHY CAN'T YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO THESE HORRIBLE THINGS? MY EYES." "It's a demon realm, Alec," Isabelle said. "There's nowhere for us to go." "And you said I should look after her-" Simon began, then realized that would not be a productive line of conversation, and shut up.”” [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. Desperation and fear can trap characters in endless conflict, while acknowledging the situation may halt the cycle. **In simple terms:** Fear fuels endless conflict. Key Takeaway Recognize fear to break cycles. Themes fear conflict denial Mood tense dramatic Type literary psychological When to use this quote - therapy - team building - creative writing - stress management Key Concepts psychology mythic archetype self‑sabotage Questions to Reflect On - What fear is keeping you stuck? - How can you confront it constructively? A Different Perspective Fear may paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alec lightwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alec-lightwood/) [Isabelle lightwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isabelle-lightwood/) [Simon lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simon-lewis/) ## Related quotes > [“ Turned you gay?” She sounded incredulous. “ Alec, you didn’ t tell me gay?” She sounded incredulous. “ Alec, you didn’ t tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/turned-you-gay-she-sounded-incredulous-alec-you-didn-t-tell-me-gay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Don't talk." Alec gestured at him with an expression of vague disgust. "Every time I look at you, I keep remembering coming in here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/don-t-talk-alec-gestured-at-him-with-an-expression-of-vague-disgust/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I'll go with you," Alec said, looking at Isabelle and Simon with suspicious eyes. "If you must," said Isabelle with exaggerated indifference. "I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-ll-go-with-you-alec-said-looking-at-isabelle-and-simon-with/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Brother Zachariah,” Isabelle said. “Months January through December of the Hot Silent Brothers Calendar. What’s he doing here?” “There’s a Hot Silent Brothers Calendar?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/brother-zachariah-isabelle-said-months-january-through-december-of/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Dear Alec and Magnus, How are you? Everything's just fine here. Thanks for you postcard with the picture of the Taj Mahal. It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/dear-alec-and-magnus-how-are-you-everything-s-just-fine-here-thanks/) [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/) > [“Loving someone doesn't mean you're never going to make mistakes," he said. "I.'ve made more than my share. I know that. And some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/loving-someone-doesn-t-mean-you-re-never-going-to-make-mistakes-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“You’re here!” Isabelle danced up to them in delight, carrying a glass of fuchsia liquid, which she thrust at Clary. “Have some of this!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-re-here-isabelle-danced-up-to-them-in-delight-carrying-a-glass-of/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Izzy, are you—” he began. His eyes flew wide, and he backed up fast enough to smack his head into the wall behind him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/izzy-are-you-he-began-his-eyes-flew-wide-and-he-backed-up-fast-enough/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“It's a girl," Jace said, recovering his composure. "Surely you've seen girls before, Alec. Your sister Isabelle is one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-a-girl-jace-said-recovering-his-composure-surely-you-ve-seen/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Goodness, that stuff rips like paper,” she exclaimed, reaching to pull her tank top off. She was halfway through the action when the door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/goodness-that-stuff-rips-like-paper-she-exclaimed-reaching-to-pull/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Once he asked me what I thought had turned me gay." "I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/once-he-asked-me-what-i-thought-had-turned-me-gay-i-hope-you-told-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“It’s not your fault,” Alec was saying. He sounded weary, as if he’d been through this sort of thing with his sister before. Clary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-not-your-fault-alec-was-saying-he-sounded-weary-as-if-he-d-been/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Alec looked at her and shook his head. "How do you manage never to get mud on your clothes?" Isabelle shrugged philosophically. "I'm pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-looked-at-her-and-shook-his-head-how-do-you-manage-never-to-get/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Isabelle snorted, "All the boys are gay. In this truck, anyway. Well, not you, Simon." "You noticed," said Simon. "I think of myself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/isabelle-snorted-all-the-boys-are-gay-in-this-truck-anyway-well-not/) [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 Alec lightwood quotes > [I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-hope-you-told-him-you-were-bitten-by-a-gay-spider/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Alec?" Magnus was staring at him. He had dispatched the remaining Iblis demons, and the square was empty but for the two of them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-magnus-was-staring-at-him-he-had-dispatched-the-remaining-iblis/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We're not dating," Alec said again. "Oh?" Magnus said. "So you're just that friendly with everybody, is that it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-re-not-dating-alec-said-again-oh-magnus-said-so-you-re-just-that/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He's not my warlock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-s-not-my-warlock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“You have something on your neck," he observed. Alec's hand flew to his throat. "What?" "Looks like a bite mark," said Jace. "What have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-have-something-on-your-neck-he-observed-alec-s-hand-flew-to-his/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Magnus reached for Alec, but instead of rising to his feet, he pulled Alec against him, his hand sliding up Alec’s back to knot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-reached-for-alec-but-instead-of-rising-to-his-feet-he-pulled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Hey guys! Wish you were here, except not really. We're having fun. Check it out-the pyramids! -Alec and Magnus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/hey-guys-wish-you-were-here-except-not-really-we-re-having-fun-check/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Alec caught him as he began to slide down the wall. "Jace—" "I'm all right," Jace protested, but his hand gripped Alec's sleeve tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-caught-him-as-he-began-to-slide-down-the-wall-jace-i-m-all-right/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What’s this?” Alec said, looking baffled. “It’s a girl,” Jace said. He moved closer to the redhead, who stood with her feet braced apart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-s-this-alec-said-looking-baffled-it-s-a-girl-jace-said-he-moved/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You could give me the past,“ he said a little sadly. “But Alec is my future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-could-give-me-the-past-he-said-a-little-sadly-but-alec-is-my/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Still I pictured having you for fifty, sixty more years. I thought I might be ready then to let you go. But it's you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/still-i-pictured-having-you-for-fifty-sixty-more-years-i-thought-i/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I thought you came down right on the side of go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-thought-you-came-down-right-on-the-side-of-go-directly-to-jail-do/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“It's a classic love story. I hit on him at a party, he asked me out, then we fought an epic magical battle between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-a-classic-love-story-i-hit-on-him-at-a-party-he-asked-me-out/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Come on," he said. "Let's get back to Alec before he decides Isabelle and Simon are having sex off in the caves and starts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/come-on-he-said-let-s-get-back-to-alec-before-he-decides-isabelle-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You don't believe me?" Jace asked. "Fine. Go ahead. Kiss me right now." Alec stared at him in horror. "Exactly. Despite my staggering good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-don-t-believe-me-jace-asked-fine-go-ahead-kiss-me-right-now-alec/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 97 Alec lightwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alec-lightwood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?\" There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec glaring at them. He had dropped the empty bottle of wine he had been carrying, and there were bits of sparkly glass all over the cave floor. \"WHY CAN'T YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO THESE HORRIBLE THINGS? MY EYES.\" \"It's a demon realm, Alec,\" Isabelle said. \"There's nowhere for us to go.\" \"And you said I should look after her-\" Simon began, then realized that would not be a productive line of conversation, and shut up.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cassandra Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a-sound-of-shattering-glass/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alec lightwood" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a-sound-of-shattering-glass/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a_2803019.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?\" There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec…” — 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": "“WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?\" There...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a-sound-of-shattering-glass/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-does-this-keep-happening-there-was-a-sound-of-shattering-glass/#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 } } ] } ```