Snake5555555555 posted... @plasmabeam
And as always I appreciate the compliment!
I think the train station represents a few different things. I think you are somewhat right in saying that potential is there for many destinations into an unknown future. But by the same token it could easily be the opposite: Heather might feel rail-roaded in her life by an unknown force of destiny she can't control. Notice how the subway station fights back against her with psychological tricks, or how she can play into her own fear of the paranormal by reading that article on ghosts and then getting pushed down on the tracks. Or when she finally gets on the train and it feels like an endless loop.
On the mansion... I actually think it's intended just as a joke really. Like obviously the voice takes digs and shots at Heather, especially taunting her with thoughts of suicide, but I always thought it was sort of a shot at Resident Evil's cheesiness. The typical haunted mansion setting with the trap doors and falling ceilings like what you usually expect from a horror game or movie, etc, and hell one of the rooms is even a dining room which is the first room you explore in the original RE.
Great insight on the train station... The frustration of someone with so many possibilities who can't act on any of them.
I envy your interpretation skills. Is this something you're naturally gifted at, or did you take a class or something? I wish you'd write a book on how to interpret horror--or stories in general.