In the following passage, the author uses various metaphors and similes to convey a deeper emotional context regarding the main character's struggle with loneliness and self-identity.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, Sarah felt like a lone ship lost at sea, adrift in the vast ocean of life. The laughter of her friends echoed around her like distant thunder, audible yet unreachable, reminding her of the warmth she once felt. Time seemed to stretch like a rubber band, taut and ready to snap, as she contemplated the choices that brought her to this desolate shore. She longed for connection, yet each step toward companionship felt like walking through a fog, where clarity was only a whisper away.