Summary

Leaving the Atocha Station’s fifth chapter carries over chronologically from the novel’s fourth chapter seamlessly. It begins with Adam awaking in the Ritz Carlton, the morning after his farewell dinner with Isabel. Isabel is still asleep when he wakes up. The blaring of sirens can be heard outside and Adam notices commotion from the window. He leaves the hotel and goes onto the street, noticing public hysteria, ambulances en route, and military helicopters overhead. Some pedestrian mentions “ETA” (85), the acronym for the Basque separatist militia who has conducted political violence in Madrid in the past.

Adam makes his way back to his apartment and looks for news on his computer. He accesses the New York Times online and reads about the terrorist attack that he is now partially living through. The whereabouts of Isabel, who has just left sleeping in the Ritz...