You don’t understand what “leaving without a trace means?” Gosh, you just proved it to me that you haven’t read much books, especially fiction. Have you even stop to think and consider that what you’re reading is something called FICTION 😂? It’s fiction, people, gosh. Let the author do whatever she wants in her book. It’s her world, her creation, her decision, her writing style. She’s the god of this world. If she says that people disappears like bubble *poof* then let it be. Most novels tends to use phrases like that to make it sound dramatic. You seem to know your stuff so well so why don’t you use it when it’s NEEDED? 😂 You’re making a big deal out of it a single phrase that none of us give a damn because we get what the author was pertaining. So what if it’s a misused metaphor? What if your overly-smartass finds it wrong? There are thousands of books out there who have thousands of mistakes. If you wanted to show off your knowledge about “the proper usage of metaphors” to people, at least do so if it’s noticeably bad 😂 Now sit still, chill, and read other novels that’s your cup of tea. No need to announce your departure ☺️

It’s a metaphor, as you’ve stated. And since it was a metaphor, then you should know not to take it literally. It’s a figure of speech, end of story. There’s no sense in what you’re trying to point out here. If this is the first time you’ve seen this phrase, then you haven’t read much novels. And disappearing like a bubble meant she left quickly without a trace, which you’ve already answered for yourself. There’s nothing to be confused about that.