Heavy Rain: Origami Lament

Prologue of a crossover idea that I worked on with PokemonFreak90 who came up with the idea and also graciously agreed to beta read it too, so thanks to him and hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Until Dawn, Heavy Rain or their characters.

Prologue

MIKE POV

Bright sunlight streamed in through the large sliding glass doors leading out onto the balcony of the upper floor of the house. I was in that room, the bedroom, lying on the bed, face down, one arm hanging off the edge of bed.

That was me, a man aged thirty, asleep at that moment, clad in dark green boxers. I was tall, with light skin and a medium weight. I had short dark brown hair and brown eyes. My name is Michael Monroe. I let out a soft moan as the sun hit my eyes, waking me up. Slowly sitting up, I let out a soft sigh as I sat on the edge of the bed, smiling lightly. I was still slightly sleepy, but I had just had a good night's rest.

'Another day. I should get a shower, that'll wake me up for the day.' I reflected as I glanced at the clock. It was 11:22 AM.

With that, I stood up from the bed and considered my day ahead. I was an architect who worked from home and although I had work to do today, I was sure that I could manage to get it done before the morning was done, mainly because today was a special day that I needed free time for. As I approached the door of the bedroom, I spotted a note on the floor and knelt down to pick it up and read it.

'Gone shopping.' I read. 'I'll pick the boys up from school, then we'll be back here in time for lunch and to get everything ready for Jason's party. Don't work too hard. I love you. Emily.'

Smiling wider, I put my wife's letter on the chest of drawers next to the door, next to our wedding photo.

Exiting the bedroom, I made my way to the bathroom. I had to get my morning preparations out of the way and do my work, since it was my eldest son Jason's tenth birthday today. So, once in the bathroom, I quickly got started, brushing my teeth, shaving, and soon having a shower, getting changed into fresh boxers after drying off, and heading out of the bathroom. As I made my way back to the bedroom, I paused to observe and feed our pet bird, Merlin. Back in the bedroom, I quickly got dressed in a pair of denim jeans, a white undershirt with a light blue button-up shirt, and simple black shoes. Once leaving the bedroom, I crossed the hallway and made my way downstairs.

I looked around the spacious living room and considered, 'Let's see...what could I do, apart from my work? Hmm, could go for a cup of coffee first.'

So, crossing into the kitchen, I started up the coffee machine and, taking a careful sip of coffee once it was done, I walked over to the window and looked out at the cul-de-sac street outside. It was a peaceful morning, nice and sunny.

Putting my empty coffee cup away, I made my way through to my work studio. On the way, I stopped by the bookshelf and looked through a book on the subject of my work. Satisfied, I made my way into the studio and sat down at the chair and pulled my drawing supplies towards me, thinking carefully.

Thinking on what I'd read, I considered a few ideas that I had, as well as what the client had requested, and began to work. Starting with the basic lines, utilizing each of the drawing tools, I slowly but surely worked out the plans until I had a design that looked good.

I smiled. 'Plans are coming along nicely. Should be done by Monday.'

After a few more checks, I verified that everything was done for the day and so, with free time ahead of me, I made my way back into the living room. Some time later, I heard the car pull up and moved to stand, facing the front door, smiling as I waited.

I didn't have to wait long before the door flew open and two boys rushed in. The first was Jason, now ten, and just behind him, mine and Emily's younger son, Shaun, aged 8. Both boys were similar with short brown hair and brown eyes, as well as fair skin, although they had some difference in their facial structures.

"Dad!" they cried out, rushing to me.

I laughed as I embraced them. "Take it easy or you're gonna knock me over."

I then turned to Jason. "So, today's your big day, huh?"

Jason grinned. "So, am I grown up now?"

I smiled. "Hmm, ten years old? That's not exactly grown up, but you're getting there."

"Now can I drive you car?" he asked.

Laughing again as I got to my feet, I replied, "We'll have to wait longer before that."

Both boys just laughed and ran out to the back garden to play together. I watched them go but soon turned around as another voice caught my attention.

"Mike, can you help me please?"

It was my wife, Emily. A beautiful woman of thirty with shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes, as well as olive skin and a small birthmark over her right eyebrow. She was slender and clad in jeans, a red tank-top, and simple shoes.

"Coming!" I said at once.

Gently taking the shopping bags from her, I moved them over to the kitchen counter and set them down. Emily immediately began unpacking things from them as she spoke.

"They've been so excited, I could barely keep them in line at the store." she remarked fondly. "Oh, I have so much to do, I don't know how I'll get it all done by two. Jason's friends will be over for the party then. Could you help set the table for lunch? Plates are in the small cupboard."

"No trouble." I replied. I could see that Emily was overwhelmed and I was more than happy to help her out.

I moved over to the small cupboard and tried to open it without much luck.

Noticing me, Emily remarked, "Oh, that door is always sticking. Give it a sharp tug."

I did so and the door opened. I then retrieved the set of plates from inside, moving towards the table.

"That's the set my mother gave us." Emily noted. "Be careful."

Gently setting the plates down, I replied jokingly, "Don't worry, I wouldn't want to be responsible for a diplomatic incident with your mother."

Once the table was set, I spoke to Emily briefly about work before taking her advice and heading outside to join our sons.

Smiling as I exited into the back yard, I spotted the boys engaged in a play sword fight, although they quickly dropped the toy swords when they spotted me and rushed over.

Returning their smiles, I quickly explained, "Okay, I'm free as bird, so...who wants to go first?"

They immediately began calling out, both trying to go first, I laughed softly.

"Easy, guys. You can both have a turn." I replied, before making up my mind. "Okay. Shaun, sorry, but Jason's the birthday boy, so he goes first."

Shaun just smiled and nodded, stepping back.

"Okay, Jason. Let's do...the helicopter."

Jason nodded, grabbing onto my hands as I began to spin, moving faster and faster until finally slowing down. Jason staggered back, laughing and dizzy. I was slightly dizzy too, but recovered quicker.

"It's my turn now, it's my turn!" Shaun cried out.

Laughing again, I nodded before lifting Shaun up to sit him on my shoulders. I then began to run around the garden, Shaun on my shoulders, laughing and having the time of his life. After a few laps of the garden, I set Shaun down and then both boys began talking at once.

"C'mon, Dad! Show us how strong you are. Yeah, show us your big muscles."

I sighed indulgently. "Okay, be careful. Hang on."

With that, I knelt down and once Jason and Shaun had a strong enough grip on my biceps, I stood up, lifting them while adopting the classic strongman pose, before finally setting them down. I caught my breath while they both cheered and clapped.

But we weren't done yet. I knew what that gleam in Jason's eye meant and smiled. Time for another sword fight. Taking the sword offered, we immediately slipped into our roles, readying our weapons.

"This time, you're done for." Jason taunted. "You're gonna pay for all your crimes, evil one."

"Ha! Surrender, weakling. I am already victorious." I shot back.

Thus, the sword fight began, with Shaun cheering from the side. Crossing swords with Jason, occasionally landing a few blows, I ended up winning the fight, but it was a close one. It was then that Emily called us all in for lunch and the boys immediately rushed inside. Smiling lightly, I shook my head and put the toy swords away. I headed inside myself, only to see Jason and Emily sitting at the table, but was Shaun nowhere to be seen.

"Shaun, lunch is ready!" Emily called out, looking around.

I stepped up. "I'll go get him."

I turned and began heading upstairs. It was the only place that he could be and sure enough, I spotted him, kneeling in front of Merlin's cage.

"Shaun, what are you doing here? Lunch is ready." I told him, kneeling down next to him.

Then I realized that Shaun was distraught. "It's Merlin, he...he's dead..."

I looked quickly and saw Merlin was indeed dead, lying at the bottom of the cage. I was startled, especially since only a few hours ago, I had seen and fed him and he had been alive and happy. That said, he was pretty old.

"He's dead and it's all my fault." Shaun whispered.

I gently embraced him. "No, it's not, Shaun. It's not your fault."

"I'd give anything for him to come back to life."

"Shaun, sometimes...things just happen, even when we don't want them to." I replied softly.

"That's not fair, Dad." Shaun whispered. "That's not fair."

I agreed with him, but little did I know that those words would soon become so heartbreakingly true.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.