Chapter 5: race against the clock.
It was 4:35 AM when the men noticed the weakening wall. Rocks and dirt were rolling around everywhere. Suddenly, big chunks began pouring down!" "Hurry!" shouted the men. They dug as fast as they could with the high pressure tools, but at the same time, they were doing all they could to keep the wall up. At 5:15 AM, a worker shouted, "I see his foot!" And he grabbed it slowly, and eased Rex out through a narrow opening. Rex was moaning and crying. Right when the workers had him free, ka-boom! The whole wall caved in! The sound echoed throughout the meadow. And dust poured up from the hole. "Rex!" screamed Rafael. "My baby!' cried Violeta. She threw herself down near the hole. "Rex!" she cried. Suddenly, there was the sound of coughing below. The worker's head peeked out, and in his arms, was a very exhausted, sweaty, dirt covered Rex! Rex turned his face around and shouted "Mommy!" Violeta whisked Rex out of the workers arms, and hugged him tight! When the workers had cleared up and left, an ambulance brought Rex to the hospital. Where he was treated for dehydration, cuts, and scrapes, and a torn ligament in his left thigh. The brace would have to stay on for 3 weeks.
Later at home, Cesar apologized for yelling. But Rex said, "No need to apologize, having me stuck in this hole is apology enough." Cesar almost burst into tears.
13 years later… (Present day.) "So there you have it." Said the 27 year old Cesar Salazar. "Wow." Said Rex. He shook his head like he couldn't believe it. Ever since Cesar had appeared to providence in a robot suit, Rex had doubted if he could put his trust in Cesar. Van kleiss's words came back to him: "Do not put your trust in Cesar; he's not the man you'd expect him to be…." But everything appeared to be correct, including this story. And to prove it, Cesar pulled out an old newspaper he had. Rex took it and read the cover. It said: 3 year old boy survives being stuck in hole for 16 hours! Plus, there was a picture of baby Rex covered in dirt, in the worker's arms, peeking out from the hole. Rex chuckled. "look at me, I'm such a baby!" "yeah." Cesar said smiling."Also, said Cesar, "I still have the brace you wore too!" "Really?" said Rex. He didn't think Cesar would keep track of all those things when he was younger. Rex took the gray leather brace in his hands. It looked so small compared to the size of his legs now. "Thanks." Said Rex. "I really appreciate this, I really do." "Any time little brother." Said Cesar.