Final answer:
The author experienced a 'phantom sense' as a metaphorical concept in their writing, representing the characters' inner emotions and psychological states rather than a literal ghostly presence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion of a "phantom sense" experienced by the author in the provided text excerpts is most closely related to option D: the author used this as a metaphor in their writing. These passages describe scenarios where the characters sense presences that seem ghostly or are influenced by thoughts of the supernatural. However, the events can often be attributed to the characters' psychological states or reactions to the environment. For example, the narrator's experiences are reflective of intense emotions, a tortured psyche, or reactions to oppressive or eerie surroundings. Instead of a literal presence, the "ghosts" or "phantom senses" in these scenarios are manifestations of the character's inner turmoil, fears, and psychological disturbances - portraying deeper meanings or themes within the narrative.