Chapter Text
"Something will go wrong, and you will die." Beebo's voice, usually almost-too-loud, was barely audible over the sounds of the rhythmic clock and creaking of the old house. "This house will be your tomb."
Eugene Coli stood silent, contemplating what the detective said. For a moment, there was a glimmer of normalcy in his eyes. "I see. I can see your point, Mr. Beebo."
That was definitely not what Beebo had been expecting. "Wh- you do?"
The glimmer of normalcy died like the electricity had just an hour and several time loops before. "Yes! Clear as day! You're right-- my knowledge of this house is very limited!" He clapped his hands joyously before stilling, a dangerous light taking its place. "Therefore."
With one fluid motion, he grabbed Beebo by the arm and yanked him forward. "I just need to experiment more! And here I have a great subject."
Beebo yelped and tried to tug free. As he did so, he made eye contact with Angel, who was already approaching the two, a frightening look in his eyes.
Mr. Coli is dangerous! he thought. I can't let Angel get hurt. I said I'd protect him. There was no way his so-called noodle arms would let him worm free. The only thing he could do was...
Beat him to the punch. Angel was going toward the detonator. With his other arm, Beebo grabbed for it, nearly fumbling it but still keeping hold of the antenna. The grip on his arm lessened but did not let go.
"Beeb-- Oliver!" called Angel, the frightening look turning frightened. "Toss that to me."
"It doesn't matter which one of you presses it," said Eugene Coli. "Regardless, it will just send us back to the start, and I'll have all the time in the world to carry out my plans." He gripped Beebo's arm tighter. "I look forward to destroying you two like you tried to destroy me."
"Oliver. Come on." Angel was gesturing for it frantically now. "Don't be ridiculous."
Private Detective Oliver Beebo looked up into the grandfather clock, which was ticking far too fast to be counting the seconds. He could hear the ticks in time with his heartbeat. They were so close to it-- if he set off this bomb, it would end the time loop. No one else would die. All it would take was...
him. Eugene Coli. A click of a button.
He looked back at Angel, beautiful even with his hair askew, beautiful even with tears in his eyes. He couldn't let him become a murderer.
He smiled, then pressed the detonator in his hands. Everything rang out, louder than any speaker or even the bomb that he had died to earlier, then fell into dark silence.