The ticks have fattened themselves on the host for many years. Only too aware, he has struggled with impaired health while his lifeblood is slowly drained away, but they are too firmly attached.
There is a gathering after the death to ingest the last dregs:
The reading of the Will.
Viv Burgess is finding life a bit dark at the moment. It’s about time she cheered herself up!
Hopefully having such a well-written and hauntingly meaningful short story published helps cheer you up! It’s REALLY good!