The sound hit Sophia before she even reached her apartment door… a rhythmic thumping mixed with Marcus's voice repeating the same phrase over and over. Her heart sank as she fumbled with her keys, recognizing the signs of a full meltdown.
"Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday," Marcus was chanting, his voice high with distress. "It's supposed to be Tuesday routine, Tuesday routine, Tuesday routine."
Sophia pushed open the door to find her brother sitting on the floor of their tiny living room, rocking back and forth while hitting his fist against his thigh in a steady rhythm. His dark hair was disheveled, and his face was flushed with anxiety.
"Marcus, honey, I'm home." She kept her voice calm and gentle as she closed the door behind her. "What's wrong?"
"You were forty-three minutes late,"
