After The Fire: PERSONAL

Six Friends, Sixty Minutes and a Dead Man Beneath London

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:54:37 GMT

What if the worst thing beneath London is not a ghost, but something that has been waiting for someone to switch the power back on?

Six of us entered an abandoned Underground station. We had sixty minutes to restore the electricity, start a dead train and escape. But why did the darkness begin to feel occupied? Whose footsteps were following us? And what, exactly, did we awaken down there?

We escaped. At least, we think we did

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Something Clicked at Three in the Morning

Vudi Xhymshiti — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:17:12 GMT

It is three-something in the morning, which is apparently the hour my brain has chosen for solving questions it has spent several perfectly respectable daylight hours avoiding.

The room is quiet. The …

No Strings Behind Us

Vudi Xhymshiti — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:01:02 GMT

After a long day of writing, answering messages and trying, with varying degrees of success, not to overthink everything, I went down to the beach.

The sun was already beginning its descent. The shing…

When the Past Is Still Sitting at the Table

Vudi Xhymshiti — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:32:11 GMT

There is a peculiar cruelty in finding someone you could imagine loving for a very long time, only to discover that the past has apparently been invited to come along too.

Not as memory. Memory belong…

From Mould to Midnight Madness: A Road Trip Like No Other

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 21:00:15 GMT

It’s Sunday, November 17th. We started this wild ride back on the 13th, and honestly, I’ve lost track of time. Days blur together when you’re ping-ponging between crumbling motels, ghost towns, and u…

Hitchhikers, Land Rovers, and a Picnic by the Lake: The Journey to Sofia

Vudi Xhymshiti — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:33:25 GMT

It was one of those crisp October afternoons, the kind that demands adventure but throws you a curveball just when you think you've got it all planned out. I was on the road, heading towards Sofia to…

Embark on Your Extraordinary Antarctic Adventure with me this November

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 28 May 2023 12:58:55 GMT

Don't miss your chance to join me on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica, a destination of unparalleled beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. Capture stunning imagery and elevate your photography s…

The Night That Changed Everything

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sat, 13 May 2023 21:04:00 GMT

As the night wore on, my heart raced with anticipation and fear. Would this be the beginning of something amazing, or would it all come crashing down? Only time would tell. But one thing was certain: I was in too deep to turn back now.

Cartoon © MJ/AI

As we arrived at my apartment, a sense of calm washed over me like warm summer rain. For once, my racing thoughts found peace. I was determined to focus on the present, enjoy the moment and see where things would go.

Captivated by Love: A Digital Journey of Yearning and Danger

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sat, 06 May 2023 21:00:00 GMT

My heart yearned to meet this person who seemed to hold me at bay. Their reasons – family, work, and life’s obligations – only added to my frustration.

Was I just another forgotten soul in their chaotic existence? But when they finally relented, it was a sweet victory, a moment that felt like honey dripping into my soul.

This experience highlights the dangers of digital connections, of how we can be left feeling isolated and alone in our pursuit of love. Yet, it also reminds us of the hazards of seeking validation in others’ eyes.

Finding Love Beyond the Hookup Culture: My Journey to my Predator

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 20:34:00 GMT

Have you ever felt drained by the fast-paced world of casual hookups and one-night stands? I sure did, which is why I turned to online dating and shifted my sights to the charming town of Wokingham, just a stone’s throw away from London. Though my inbox was flooded with messages from curious and bored individuals, one person stood out – a mysterious and striking figure who bombarded me with questions about myself. Despite their initial hesitation to meet in person, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by their enigmatic persona.

Nightmare’s Resilience: Overcoming the Demons Within

Vudi Xhymshiti — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:56:00 GMT

The darkness surrounding me was complete, the only light coming from the flickering neon signs in the distance. I was running, my heart pounding in my chest, trying to escape the relentless pursuit of the mechanical monster behind me. I had no idea why it was after me, but its pursuit was relentless, and I could feel its hot breath on my heels.

A Newcomer’s Tale: Finding My Way in the Labyrinth of London

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 20:53:00 GMT

Six years ago, I stepped off the train and onto the bustling platform at London’s Kings Cross Station, I felt a sense of anticipation and excitement wash over me. After years of living in rural villages, small towns, and cities throughout Wales and England, I was finally beginning a new chapter in my life in the sprawling metropolis that is London.

But it wasn’t an easy journey to get here. I had battled against the Home Office arguments throughout the courts of justice to claim my right to settle my humanitarian protection status in the UK. And after years of legal wrangling, I finally had the opportunity to start anew in London.

Navigating the Dark Side of Online Dating: Tales of Manipulation and Abuse

Vudi Xhymshiti — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:38:00 GMT

Nearly six years ago, I embarked on a journey into the world of online dating sites in London. Freshly settled and eager to start a new life, I had encountered mostly reasonable individuals in my past dating experiences, people who were kind, considerate, and made the right choices for themselves and their partners. I had grown naive and complacent and failed to prepare myself for the darker side of the dating world.

This four-panel cartoon depicts how an Artificial Intelligence engine chooses to illustrate the meaning of a person with narcissistic personality disorder.