Point of no return [Dew x Alpha]

Fear

A deep, concerned frown appeared on Alpha's face "Are you sure about this?"
Dew got the feeling that his question wasn't about the fact that they needed help but his sudden wish to return to the ministry.
The water ghoul swallowed hardly against the lump forming in his throat, trying to breathe the panic away that clawed at his heart.
"Apparently Swiss was hurt during our phone call. I heart Rain calling for Cirrus and a first-aid kit. You know Swiss, what could possibly be bad enough to hurt him?"
The fire ghoul rose from the couch, slowly making his way over.
Dew's fingertips itched for him to come closer, he just needed his touch and a few reassuring words that the decision he was about to make would not lead them into complete disaster.

His partner stopped right in front of him, tilting his chin upwards. Apparently he had found what he was looking for in Dew's eyes because he nodded to himself. "I will always protect you and the home we've built. If the situation at the ministry is that severe, we can go and check it out. But I want you to remember one thing, droplet: We can always return home. These are not our problems anymore, so don't get too worked up about it, okay?"
Dew swallowed hard. What Alpha was saying made sense and yet it didn't. These were his former band mates, to accept that their problems weren't his problems anymore was hard.
And still he was thankful for the reassurance the fire ghoul had given him.
He let his head sink against his boyfriend's chest, once more breathing in the familiar scent as he mustered up the courage to say
"Let's go."

[At the front door of the ministry]

The lonely figure on the doorstep of the ministry turned out as Rain as they got closer, his dark hair getting tousled by the cold November wind.
Dew thought that he looked sick. His skin was ashen and he had clearly visible bags under his eyes as if he hadn't got enough sleep lately.
"Rain!" Dew called out only for the other water ghoul to jump at the loud sound.
As they reached him, Dew pulled him into a hug. He felt so frail and feeble and the smile on his lips didn't reach his eyes.
"What happened here? Swiss wouldn't tell me on the phone." The water ghoul got straight to the point, determined to finally find out what the problem was.

But Rain only shook his head "Not now. Let's get inside first. But I have to warn you: No matter what you do or see, stay quiet, make no sound. And don't talk in the hallways. I mean it, it's important!"
Alpha and Dew exchanged a glance and nodded at Rain, who slipped inside and motioned for them to follow him.
At Rain's speech Dew felt his determination waver slightly, but he took his partner's hand to mask it and as he felt his other hand around his waist, pressing him to the fire ghoul he felt safe again.

The corridors inside felt familiar. Too familiar.
Dew was nervous about meeting the other ghouls again, but he was basically shaking in fear of the moment he had to see Copia again. This would happen sooner or later and he knew that neither him nor Alpha could do anything against him when he had the support of the ghouls and the dead Papas.
Alpha gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as he whispered so quietly only Dew could hear him "I can practically hear you thinking. Just let it happen, we will be fine, I promise."
As Dew opened his mouth to ask how he wanted to stand up to Copia, the fire ghoul softly tapped the silver necklace around his neck and he understood. The amulet Terzo had given them. He still wore it and would use it against Copia if they needed help.
"Will they really help us?" He whispered anxiously. A firm nod and the soft smile from his partner took every doubt from his mind.
If Alpha trusted them he did too.

With that off his mind he could concentrate on Rain again who was still walking in front of them. The complete silence in the ministry was eerie, making a shiver run down his spine.
"Rain." He whispered as quiet as he could. The other water ghoul whirled around, holding his finger to his mouth to silence Dew with a panic-stricken expression on his face.
As they listened for any kind of sound Dew felt Alpha's grip around his waist getting firmer.
They stood there for a whole minute, just listening, waiting and holding their breath, before Rain motioned for them to follow him into Copia's office.
Dew froze, was this a trap?
Rain saw the look on his former bandmate's face and made a pleading motion with his hands. His eyes wandered around aimlessly, before settling on something behind their back.

Dew had never seen the look of such complete horror on Rain's face. Not caring anymore, Rain yanked them inside the office and closed the door behind the three of them with a loud bang.
Only after he turned all six locks on the door he screeched "She's here! She's here! She found us!"
The first reaction of the other ghouls in the room was to freeze, then panic took over. Everyone was talking at once and Dew was sure he had heard a sob from at least one of them.
What was happening here?

As Copia entered the room Dew froze too, but the cardinal only threw him a dismissive look.
"She can't get in here!" He tried to calm his ghouls down.
Even Swiss, who rarely panicked at anything, wore a worried expression "At least she's trying..."
The thing on the other side of the door seemed to claw and chew at the door, making the wood groan and the ghouls hold their breath.
After a few minutes a frustrated snarl ended the horrifying noises.
"Is she gone?" Rain whispered. Bewildered Dew stared at the water ghoul that had fled into Swiss's arms. If the situation wasn't that serious Dew would've loved to pry on him what was going on between his best friend and the multi ghoul.
But no one else seemed to notice. Or to care.

"I'll go take a look," Alpha chimed in from beside Dew, "I want to check something else."
"I'll go with you." To Dew it wasn't even a question, but his partner vehemently shook his head. "No, droplet. Please stay inside."
A pout wanted to sneak on Dew's face but he quickly smoothed out his expression, this was not the time for his own sensitivities.
But as the fire ghoul asked "Swiss, will you come with me? You already faced her once, I heard." Dew couldn't stop the sting of jealousy. He knew it was stupid so he tried to let it go.

The two of them opened the door just an inch wide to check if the coast was clear. As they deemed it safe they both squeezed through the gap.
The whole corridor seemed normal, nothing was off and yet as they turned around to the door Swiss gasped. There were huge scratches in the wood where she had put her claws and teeth to good use.
"For all that is holy... This is insane." Swiss whispered into Alpha's ear.
The fire ghoul only nodded, his expression getting darker by the second and as he stepped forward his worst fears seemed to be coming true.
Alpha laid his fingers into the claw marks on the door. They fit perfectly.
Swiss and Alpha exchanged a horrified glance.
"Impossible!"