As Jack awoke again he couldn't help but feel exhausted, between having an all out panic-attack and being forced into a fitful sleep of terrible nightmares his body wasn't recuperating. Sure he healed quicker than humans but Pitch gave him more wounds than his body could keep up with.

The good news was that none of his wounds were oozing blood anymore; all that was left now were scabs and bruises. The newest bruise was freshly formed on his cheek from when Pitch had struck him earlier. Shades of purple and black stretched outwards across his face. The blood in his hair had turned an ugly looking brown color since it had dried there.

Pitch had also managed to give him a huge headache. With every movement of his head a shot of pain would rattle through his skull. As he continued to wake up Jack remembered how tired his muscles felt from being tied up for so long, his shoulder muscles were stiff as a rock. Just more and more pain. Wonderful.

"How is it that an immortal can still feel so much pain?" Jack questioned to no one in particular. He had always talked to himself, being Jack Frost you don't really get to talk to many people so when he was alone with the world he would talk to himself or make snarky comments to the unaware humans for fun.

"Alright enough of this, I've got to think of something else, something besides the pain." Jack sighed as he tried to make his mind drift to other things. He tried thinking of the guardians, of flying, of making snow storms and pranking people, but where his mind seemed to find the most comfort was with thoughts of Jamie; one of the few children left who could believe in him and could actually see him.

"You know I've always wanted an older brother!" Jamie cried excitedly.
Jack laughed as he floated above the boy's head, twirling his staff playfully, "Well I'm not going to be older than you for much longer am I."
Jamie's stopped walking and his face scrunched up as if he was thinking too hard about something. "Well even though you look younger doesn't mean you still aren't older right? I mean you've been around for a long time Jack."

"Well, I guess you have a point, technically." Jack trailed off.
Jamie stood silent a few moments before replying, "so I guess I will still have an older brother...technically."

Jack couldn't help but chuckle at the boy thinking so hard about this, "okay okay enough with the technicalities already! How about we have some fun instead?"
Jamie instantly snapped out of his thoughts and started jumping up and down excitedly, "Yeah yeah! Lets have a snowball fight!"
"I don't know, are you sure you can handle a snowball fight with the infamous Jack Frost?" Jack teased.
"Bring it on!" Jamie challenged. Going into what looked like a fighting stance.
Jack's smirked at his antics, "okay, you asked for it!"
The two then proceed to have one of the most epic snowball fights of all time; at least that's what Jamie said it was after it was over.

Jack knew after that day that he really did love Jamie as he would love family. He couldn't help but from sadly as he realized he might not see him again if he didn't escape from here. He'd break his promise to always be there for him.
"I'm sorry Jamie, I tried, I promise I did."

Jack continued to think of anything possible to keep his mind distracted from his unfortunate circumstances. It felt like hours had passed of him just thinking about things. One of the thoughts that was beginning to reoccur the most was the thought of what he would do to Pitch if he escaped and got his staff back. He continued to enjoy that thought before he was snapped back to reality.
The black sand started moving again...

Jacks blue eyes widened as he realized what was happening. Without warning he was released from his bonds all at once. He fell to the black tiled floor below with a loud smack. His body shook from the sudden release from his restraints and from the impact of the fall.

Wincing with pain Jack tried to figure out what was happening. With difficulty he lifted his head and stared down the dark hallway from where Pitch always came and went, hoping to see the big four or anything besides Pitch.
Nothing. He saw nothing.

It had to be the Guardians right? They had to have found him right? Why else would he be released from his prison?
Jack didn't let himself ponder for too long, he knew this was it, if he didn't move now he might never get another chance, if the guardians were here, he would have to get up and look for them. He couldn't just sit here and wait.

Trying to find his strength he began to shakily push himself up with his arms, only to fall down again. "Come on Jack!" He yelled at himself. He tried again, putting his arms out in front of him and pushed himself off of his stomach. His back shook as he used his muscles to hold himself in an upright position. He had done it this time.
"Now to stand up." Jack told himself.

With some difficulty he finally got his knees bent and his feet supporting his weight. Slowly his straightened his knees until his was standing with a slight hunch. He had soon come to the conclusion that one or two of his ribs must be broken or fractured because he couldn't fully stand straight without pain shooting through his lower chest.

"Damn you Pitch!" Jack croaked out as he winced in pain from each small step he took. He couldn't help but wish he had his staff to use for support, he was very weak and if he wasn't careful he knew he would fall again.
He tried not to look at his body as he pushed on down the dark corridor, he'd never been in such a bad condition and frankly it made him feel sick to see the damage.
He was getting so close to the door, "just a little more." Jack whispered to himself.
Just as he was about 10 feet within reaching the door it opened on its own. Jack stopped and waited with hope that it would be one of the Guardians. He would take any of them, even Bunnymund. Hell he would gladly give Bunnymund a huge hug if he walked through that door.
But those thoughts were soon destroyed as he watched Pitch snake his way past the door.

"No, not you..." Jack said with dread filling his voice.
"Jack you really know how to hurt my feelings." Pitch pouted before flashing his sharp teeth at him in a dark smile. "Did you think it was the Guardians? You should know better by now."

"How was I released then? What...how...?" Jack questioned as a look of frustration formed on his features.

"Well, they are pretty close by actually, which is why we need to get ready Jack. We have to make sure you are found the way I intended." He replied ominously.
Jack knew what he meant, Pitch wanted him to be found as a broken boy, not as a strong willed guardian. He obviously wasn't broken yet in Pitch's eyes.

Jack eyed Pitch wearily as he walked towards him. Soon he was only a foot away, looking down on him from above; his yellow eyes glowing in the dark.
"It's time to move you Jack. They won't ever find you in this place as only I can enter this room." When those words left his lips a black staff formed in Pitch's hands and he used it to knock Jack off his feet.

Jack hit the floor on his back and instantly coughed from the sudden impact. He lay there for a moment trying to get his breath back and that's when he heard Pitch snap his fingers.

Jack's eyes widened as a portion of the black sand that made the walls of the chamber moved away from the rest. It scurried across the tile towards him. Jack tried to pull himself away from it although it was in vain.

The sand caught Jack's wrists and pulled them behind him instantly hardening into new restraints. The sand did the same to his ankles and thighs, binding them together. Another joined the rest and wrapping itself around his upper arms and chest. Jack struggled against them despite not having very much energy left.

"Pitch stop! Let me go! Urgh! You've done enough to me you monster!" Jack screamed at him. He felt a tinge of pain in his throat, as it too had not fully healed.
"Now now Jack, those words are hurtful." Pitch patronized as the sand continued to bind and constrict around him.
"No more talking now, you need to save your strength for when I finally break you." As if the sand heard him it wrapped itself around his mouth and hardened, effectively gagging him.

Jack shook his head and tried to shout around the gag only for muffled noises to escape. The final thing to be robbed of him was his vision as one last band of the dark sand settled itself around his eyes. He was completely helpless, and fear was once again eating away at his soul.

Pitch watched the pitiful creature before him. Squirming and making muffled whimpers and grunts. He crouched down to be closer to his level.
"Time to prepare Jack." He reach out and grabbed the boy with both hands earning another muffled cry from the small form beneath him. Pitch continued to lift him up anyways and soon had the boy in his arms bridle style. "Shall we Jack?" Pitch said, not really expecting an answer.
He turned and made his way towards the door, grinning sadistically as he did so.

"Oh the fun we'll have..."