Final answer:
The phrase in question is an example of simile, a figure of speech that compares two different things, which is a part of figurative language often used in narration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase, "It felt like hours. It felt like years," is an example of simile, which is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things using the words "like" or "as." Similes are a form of figurative language that help create vivid imagery and can evoke more emotion from the reader. In this instance, the use of "like hours" and "like years" is intended to express the feeling of time dragging on, thereby making the experience feel much longer than it is. This use of simile is a common technique in narration to describe the intensity of a character's perception or emotion relating to the passage of time.