Who's breathing down my neck? I turn around - no one. Only the train, picking up speed, dives into the darkness.
In the quote from David Mitchell's "Ghostwritten," the narrator experiences an unsettling moment as they feel someone breathing on the back of their neck. This sensation triggers a sense of anxiety and prompts them to look around, only to find no one there. The only thing present is the sound of a train speeding away into the darkness, enhancing the eerie atmosphere of the scene.
This moment captures the feelings of paranoia and isolation, evoking a haunting experience where the mind plays tricks, and perception creates doubt. The train's movement into the dark symbolizes a journey into the unknown, reinforcing the themes of mystery and existential reflection found throughout Mitchell's work.