The excerpt from Joyce Carol Oates' "High Crime Area: Tales of Darkness and Dread" captures the frenetic pace of life in a subway. The trains move so quickly that passengers hardly have a moment to breathe. The view outside is bleak, with the tunnel walls rushing past, only slowing down when approaching a station. The opening of the doors is described as a mechanical hiss, likening it to a beast exhaling, as passengers board and disembark in a chaotic flow.

Amidst this hectic environment, the narrator expresses a sense of longing and curiosity about the other passengers. As they lift their eyes, they wonder who among the crowd might be their destiny. This moment of hopeful yearning stands in contrast to the dark, uninviting surroundings, illustrating a deep desire for connection despite the alienating atmosphere of urban life.