The fact that they were separated was enough to make Jack's skin crawl. He had gotten himself rather attached to the other, and had hoped to depend on Iggy should the situation arise. However all that shattered as they were led down different ends of the ominous wall that had been clearly built after the rest of the room had. Looking over his own entrance, and the situation lying within, the sprite felt it necessary to shout a warning to the kid who wouldn't know what was in store. "It's a maze." Jack said very loudly before dropping his voice. "..and my leg is never going to heal." Already it was throbbing in pain from just the thought. How cruel was it to ask him to run a maze when he could barely stand? Most likely it was just another condition to be monitored throughout the test.

All at once their hands were released with a 'click' and given a shove inside. The floor then hummed to life as another panel of white rose up behind them, effectively blocking them from going out the entrance. "Begin." A voice from above asked of them, same as the day prior. Without thinking, for there was no time to think, Jack raced off. He hobbled along the best he could as he started routing a path through the maze. Soon, though, he would learn that it was more of a daunting task that he could have ever imagined.

A maze? They're making the blind kid run a maze? What were they hoping to learn? How many mistakes he can make? Iggy felt a horrible cold sinking feeling as he stood before the opening of what must be the maze. His wrists are released. Not his wings. They've begun to feel cramped, and he sincerely hoped they'd release them, even for a moment. Besides, that particular discomfort, as he was pushed forward, Iggy's acute hearing picked up on the floor's activity. It reminded him of the sound of fluorescent lights turning on. Iggy had a feeling he doesn't want to stop and wait to find what's up with that. Begin. And he started forward as fast as he could. The halls were narrow enough that he had no problem with running both hands along the walls, keeping a moderate jogging pace. Move, pay attention, find your way out. Iggy felt the familiar rise of frustration when asked to do something he can't properly complete.

He took a left and continued on, doing his best not to slow, but when he came to a dead end, he hesitated. Pausing. Back tra- An electric shock rattled his mind and body, eliciting a cry of pain. Iggy stumbled blindly back, hands grasping at the walls and before he truly managed to recovered, he started at the maze again, breaths heavy and erratic before he managed to smooth them out. Finding his way out just became a lot more appealing.

It wasn't long that Jack also found about the unpleasant experience of being shocked. He had slowed to rest against the wall in an attempt to ease the pain of his broken leg, and instead only got a jolt to launch him forward into a staggering race again. His eyes kept frantically searching around, trying to decide which path to take when suddenly—WHACK. Jack met the ground with his face as a certain hybrid ran straight into him. "Geez Iggy! Watch where you're—! ...never mind." Using the slick sidings to right himself, Jack shifted around constantly to avoid getting another round of shock therapy. However, his feet started to feel... warm!?

In the dash for finding the exit, Iggy had no time to remember which way he was going, to listen for echoes and find his bearings. Not that that would help much anyway. The long and short halls, sudden turns, and open ceiling made for determining any sort of path difficult. But, wait, were those foot ste- WHACK. Iggy staggered back with a groan, and allowed himself only a second of reprieve before making sure his feet do not remain on the floor longer than necessary, lest he experience that strong shock again. "Ha. You're funny." Iggy replied in sarcasm and a roll of his eyes. As much as the boy wished he could rest a moment, especially after the run in, he didn't want to risk the floor coming alive once more - now it was beginning to feel warm, though Iggy wasn't sure if that was his imagination or not...There wasn't exactly a rule that he COULDN'T go with Jack right? Iggy rolled his shoulders. "Got a plan to get outta here? 'Cause I sure don't. I think I went down the same hall like... three times."

"Actually.. come to think of it.." Jack reached out and snagged Iggy's wrist, laying it on his shoulder. "Hold on to me. I'm going to start marking the paths we've been down with ice. That way we can avoid going in circles." Part of him wondered if this was another test. Did they expect him to throw off Iggy to accomplish the goal himself? Jack thought it highly unfair that he didn't know the rules of this sadistic game. To him, it was as simple as finding the exit and avoid getting shocked. Though, looking down it appeared as though there was another obstacle to look out for. The coils beneath them began to glow red with heat. "Owwww." Oh, the sudden change in temperature was going to sear the skin right off! "Come on, move!" He yelped, pulling himself as well as Iggy down through a hallway.

Iggy's hand tightened on Jack's shoulder a moment before letting up. "Smart idea." There were far too many possibilities, or, at least that's the way it felt to the boy who couldn't see which way was which. How many paths had he accidentally given up on, simply because he hadn't noticed. Iggy can navigate rather well for being blind, but put into a situation like this, he's less than ideal, and Jack's sure not on the top of his game. They must look ridiculous, such an odd pair. Iggy grimaced as the ground beneath his feet began to heat up. No, it was definitely not his imagination, and when Jack complained aloud, Iggy let out a gasping sound. It hurt! "Don't have to tell me twice." Without hesitation, Iggy ran, his hand slipping off Jack's shoulder. Too difficult to continue holding on while moving faster. With the other boy closer, he can easily hear the sound of the heavier leg and the broken stride.

As they dashed over the blazing strings of metal a stench of searing flesh filled the air. With the hybrid ranked at his shoulder, Jack forced himself to glide through the maze work. Only on a few bounds, where the bone fractures slipped and ground against one another, did he give a low pitched whine. With a corner, white and pointed in view, the boy clutched it in his grasp for a moment to glisten over with a blue-ish sheen of ice. "How much trouble do you think we would be for going up?" One boy asked the other, glancing towards him and his bound set of wings. Did he even know how to fly? It was better than having ashes for feet at any rate. And hey, it would prove them to be resourceful right?

Iggy's ever expressive face has since twisted into one of pain. He wanted to gag at the smell, but was far too afraid that he may accidentally slow down if he gave it too much thought. Jack's sounds of pain only had Iggy wishing he could find the way out, that he could use the echoes... but they're useless here. Pointless and useless, and his skin crawled feeling so helpless, he could tear out his hair in frustration! The heat beneath his feet provided both a distraction, and a source of his anger. "A-Alot." Iggy forced out, swallowing hard. "Thinkin' it's worth it though. If they're going to watch, might as well give them a show, right?"

The answer was enough for Jack. He slid down, allowing Iggy to run right past him before jogging to catch up with him again. This time, though, his hands caught around the bindings that held the avian's wings shut. "C-Can you fly?" He asked, formed a sharp edged icicle to begin sawing through the material. "Because seriously, that would be really awesome right now."

Iggy's wings twitched just slightly at the unexpected cool touch of Jack's hands. "Fly?" He had to repeat, as if the word was something foreign or difficult to grasp the concept of. "Never got the chance to try." Though, he's got wings at least large enough to support his body, in theory. He's heard the whitecoats talk about it. Maybe he can fly! Like Jack said, that would be really awesome. "Hurry up, and I can try."

A slight panic overcame him. What if the minute Iggy took flight, he was felt to run the maze all alone? No, he couldn't think like that. If he had to, then Jack would complete the task the best he can. Working from top to bottom, he wedged the bit of frozen water carefully between the soft layer of feathers. "Almost..." He hummed, drawing near the bottom of the folded wings. "DONE!" He chimed, halting back to avoid getting whacked should Iggy decide to unfurl them without warning. "Go go go!" Instead he encouraged from behind.

Aah, that felt much better! As much as Iggy would love to snap open his wings, he practised careful patience as he kept his wings tightly folded against his back. Jack's footsteps stopped. The hybrid whirled around and ran back to where Jack stopped. "C'mon!" He grabbed the other boy, holding tight. This could either work out really well, or they could crash and literally burn. His wings shot out and... the halls aren't very spacious which made for awkward and mildly painful folding. God, okay. How did birds do it? Run? Flap? At the same time? That sounded good. Prompting Jack to run as well, Iggy took a running start, while working out the kinks in his wings from having them folded forcibly for so long. It's lucky this hall is so long. Or Iggy hopes. He can't see it. Before they hit a wall, however, it seems like Iggy's doing something right because he feels himself getting pulled upwards, the furious flapping doing something right. With a grunt, he yanked Jack up with him as he rose. It's a shame the two boys are so equal in height, or this might be working out better. Not high enough to completely clear the wall, so when they do meet the turn, Jack might get smacked right into it.

Jack really doesn't know what insanity must have possessed him to trust a blind boy to lift them both to safety. But, nonetheless, he does. All seemed to be going smooth, jogging along as his side until Iggy latched on to him and the ground was no longer reachable. He did it! They were flyin-SMACK. Alright, so Jack does end up hitting the side of the wall fairly hard. But, that bit of pain is manageable compared to the stinging sensation that his feet endured. Flailing a bit, the older boy clings to the hybrid. "I beg of you..PLEASE DON'T DROP ME." Even from above, he could see those red veins of heated metal, snaked into the floor below.

Iggy's grasp tightened around Jack when he felt the elemental smack into the wall. His wings flapped harder, struggling to maintain and improve upon the height he's gaining. "I doubt they feed you enough for you to be THIS heavy." He groaned out in a teasing manner. Once they've cleared the walls, Iggy realised with a start that he had no idea where to go. Where the walls enclosing the maze as a whole would be. By now, the scientists must be in a flurry of activity. What if they take them down? They have to get away from above the heated floor. "So, I just realised I'm blind-..." Iggy started, a nervous laugh escaping him.

"If you are just realizing this..." Jack growled, unamused by the dose of humor. Looking down, he could already see figures of white and black crowding around the outskirts of the maze. Whitecoats and SHIELD agents alike were gawking at them, and surely a few were already working out a way to get their captives under control again. His stomach churned at the very thought. Up here, even while Iggy pumped valiantly to keep them afloat, his muscles weak from lack of use, Jack felt utterly free. "Well... fly forward, and I'll tell you when we're nearing a wall. There's really only one place to land, though, and that's where all the scientists are..."

Iggy flew straight, just as Jack said, even if every instinct in his body - the fact he couldn't see what was ahead - had him wishing to turn back or drop or... something. He'd have to get use to flying blind. If he ever got the chance again that is. "Oh great. Might as well drop in and say hello. Think they saw the show?" It turns out the concentrating on flapping your wings is a bit harder than anticipated, and when his concentration slipped, even for just a few seconds, they dropped a foot or two before regaining the height they loss.

The sudden drop in altitude had Jack holding his breath without thinking. Only when they were back to a steady hover did he take note of the lack of air and instantly let out a long sigh of relief. "Okay, no talking. Focus on flying. We need to go just a little farther forward, and then slowly down." Glancing towards the company that had formed beneath them, their hands filled with equipment that would scare even Frankenstein, Jack gulped. "And.. if I don't live through this. It was nice knowing you."

No talking. Although Iggy had been accustomed to not talking just a few days ago, he found that somewhat difficult now in a situation that had him more nervous than usual! He found he almost needed to hear Jack's voice, to speak to the other boy, just to make sure he was alright although Jack's back was pressed firmly against Iggy's chest. Iggy began to descend, slowly, so if Jack has any instructions on correcting the hybrid's flight, there would be more than enough time to heed the advice. "It's been a good run, huh..." Iggy muttered. "What's it looking like down there?" No, he can't seem to stay quiet at this moment. Later, if there is a later, yes. But not now.

"It looks like I'm going to wish I only had a broken leg." Jack replied, his voice turning into a whimper. The slow leveling towards the company below was right where they needed to land. Oh, the elemental could see it now. Ropes, sedative, bits of metal. Even death must have looked more pleasant in that moment. His pale fingers rested on top of Iggy's hand for a moment. Just a moment. "You're going to hate me, angel boy." He teased slightly before calling down below. "It was my fault. I used this hybrid so that I wouldn't have to finish your maze." Jack was taking the blame yet again. It was stupid, but he was afraid that if Iggy was at fault... well. He just couldn't continue to live through this without someone to occupy the time with.

Iggy somehow managed to shake Jack, even with being up in the air, which resulted in the grip loosening significantly, though Iggy would never completely let go. "I swear, I'll drop you!" He shouted at Jack, worry etched into his expression. Jack was going to take the fall again. He was going to get hurt, or killed and it would be Iggy's fault. For not stepping up and... god, fear had him holding his tongue. Fear of what could come. Maybe he could just avoid landing. Yeah, THAT'S a plan. Despite Jack's otherwise noble plan, it doesn't seem the scientists are entirely bought over by the confession.

Perhaps there had been some sort of visible warning, not that Iggy would be aware of it. One moment he had been flapping his wings, and the next, he was crashing towards the ground, netting keeping his wings from moving, trapped beneath woven rope. Try as he might, it didn't seem to help, and the teen was unwilling to release Jack to attempt freeing them both from the net. He may have threatened to drop the other boy, but he had no plan on following through with that. Iggy felt his heart jump up to his throat and he shut his sightless eyes tight, waiting for the floor.

The cold tile floor was jarring, sending a pounding through Iggy's head, an audible 'pop' echoing in his ears. A sharp pain began to shoot up his arm, his breath came in short pants as taking in a deep breath seemed impossible. His shoulder, his arm, he couldn't move it. He couldn't breathe. Iggy had done his best to avoid landing on Jack, instead, landing heavily on his side. Movement at the moment seemed unfathomable. Yes, he would be perfectly fine with laying here for a long time, his wings all tangled in the netting. He doubted he would given that luxury.

Shaken as he was by the other experimental boy, Jack's determination was unfailing. "I'm immortal, Iggy. Not you." Well, he didn't know that for sure, but the avian hybrid seemed a lot more frail than his own iced over structure. He also knew these people around them, the scientists and medical teams whose existence was set on breaking their very spirits. Jack had felt his own will starting to slip from him. He wished to preserve Iggy's sarcastic humor for as long as possible.

However, suddenly the whole world was flying past him, a gust of cold air crashing around them as they slipped to the floor. He didn't even have time to see the cause of their quick collapse. Instead, Jack found his form twisted as they flattened onto the floor. "O-Okay..." The teenager groaned, rolling off of his side. To his amazement, Iggy was still holding on to him. Practically clinging. "A-Are you alright?" He asked, even though the chance of a response was small. The surrounding teams would be quick to pounce of them. To drag them away from one another and enact whatever punishment was to follow.

Iggy gasped for breath, unseeing eyes wide as he greedily tried to suck in air. To no such luck. It was irrational, a part of his mind seemed to reason. You can breathe. And just like that, as if a switch had been flipped, Iggy found that his airway was clear, and he could indeed breathe without difficulty. His arm still hurt something awful though and Iggy tried to at least roll off of it, but that somehow made it worse. "No... No, I think- My shoulder-" His fingers, shaking but determined, reached to find the joint, where his arm meets his shoulder. Augh. Not good. He felt his stomach roll in protest of the feeling. "It's going to hurt to pop this back in." Was Iggy's light complaint, with underlying dread. There's no way the Whitecoats be gentle with it.

It seemed he wouldn't even get the chance to attempt a go at it himself. Iggy can feel rough hands beginning to pull at the net, every little tug pushing against his arm and he had to bite down hard on his lower lip to keep from making a sound. Scientists began to go to work at untangling Iggy's wings, grabbing Jack from the mess and restraining him. To get the hybrid out took longer, and more work, but he too was soon pulled up to his feet. A touch to his arm, though, and he was thrashing to get away. Another syringe, a stronger dose than before - it seems they learn quick, Iggy went limp. His shoulder was pushed back into place unexpectedly. It would have hurt. In his groggy state Iggy barely flinched, maybe it was better he was a bit too unaware to notice.

Jack lost sight of Iggy as he was hauled onto his feet and once again locked down to the point where he couldn't move an inch. One of the scientists, face red with furry, then built up and brought a hand straight across the boy's check. "We should have just killed him.." The stocky man boomed, allowing the arm that had backhanded the boy to fall limply at his side. A patch of red now glowed a bright red on Frost's face, but he forced himself not to react much. He bit into his lip and looked away, the throbbing sting causing a small line of water to pool in his sapphire eyes.

"Lets dissect them!" Another offered. "No, we need to keep them alive. Maybe paralyze them." Oh, Jack felt sick just hearing their suggestions. "I say let them rot. A waste of money."

However, the crowd of sadistic scientists quieted as another joined them. Dr. Remons stiffly weaved through the parted company until he was standing right before his creation. A snarl formed on his lips, not that it was seen by the boy. For Jack was staring shamefully at the floor, cheek still displaying the effect of the hit. Remons cupped his face and pulled his chin up until Frost was forced to look him in the eyes.

"He will be of use to us. We will break him until that heart barely beats." Those words clung to the silent air like daggers, causing Jack to nearly shriek back in fright. "Have him run the maze again... alone. Time him, change the maze, and run again. Continue until he can't move anymore."

Iggy strained to remain focused, to keep his normally above average hearing tuned into the world around him (as much as he'd like to shut it out), even as his listening skills turned to static, and really, all he wanted to do was sleep. He would have surrendered himself to unconsciousness if not the fear that he may awake to something far worse. Were they talking about killing them? That would definitely be considered "worse". Iggy had no wish to wake up strapped to some table. Again. Half of him debated that... perhaps it would be better to fall asleep and never wake. Never have to deal with this. Never have to go through another day.

While the scientists debated on what would come of Jack and his seemingly over abundance of a strong willed personality that refused to break, another few gave a disappointed, frustrated sigh. They murmured something and their words floated in and out. "-paid good money", "waste", and "defective test subject." Their tones turned angrier near the end of the complaining. 'I wouldn't be defective, if not for you people!' Iggy wanted to shout. Then again, he wouldn't be in this situation at all, neither of them would be, if not for scientists who wished to improve the human condition or... whatever they were trying to do by messing with normal DNA. Maybe they had good intentions, but they SUCKED at expressing them, and even worse at executing them. This whole thing is a failure in Iggy's opinion. Not that his opinion mattered.

"Clip his wings." Of course that was heard by Iggy loud and clear. Somehow, he figured that would be a possibility, an outcome for their rebellion. He hoped that maybe they would be impressed by the display. Iggy didn't even know he could fly like that! But apparently, the flight variable isn't something to be testing just yet, not if they're to be kept alive. It was a problem, and they sought to correct it. Instinctively, protectively, Iggy drew his wings in tight and close to his spine, his muscles tensing as much as they could in his groggy state. His heart beat rapidly. It must have been decided on however, because he was soon forced to leave Jack behind.

As Iggy was drug away, Jack let out a small whimper. He hadn't wanted to appear so weak, but after learning of his future—well, he was quickly losing the flare of fight within him. In fact, at that moment he wanted to just surrender his will if it meant that he could go back to his cell instead of running the maze. But, at this point nothing would change. The scientists, as he had learned, were fairly set in stone.

Shoved back to the maze entrance, his hands were freed and instantly he was pressured into the starting box. The elemental boy lowered his head slightly, eyes locked on the white wall before him. If he was going to be forced to complete this, then he was going to work as swiftly as his thin limbs could carry him. Another two seconds and a click resounded to signal the challenge beginning. And off he went!

While he had originally thought weaving through the maze would be a simple task, just rushing down the tiny corridors until he happened upon the exit—this was not the case. It was frustrating, gliding through on a twisted path to only come across a dead end and have to backtrack completely. With the coils seemingly more warm than even the first run-through, Jack's feet were burnt to a charcoal black before he finally stumbled out the exit. One run, and he was already panting, his hands propped on his knees just to keep himself upright. But of course his time to rest was small. Remons had said to run him off his feet, and that was exactly what they intended to do.

Twenty-four runs. That was all Frost completed before his broken leg finally could take no more and gave out from under him. He collapsed within the giant puzzled flooring, ignoring even the burning sensation that branded dark lines across his entire form. It hurt, of that there was no doubt, but it was no longer enough incentive to get him back on his feet. The fiery sting continued for a moment longer before it also was wound down with an electric hum. Finally.. it was over.

Drug. He was drug out of the maze and back to his containment cell. Discarded like a broken toy, the boy was tossed within the room only to lock the door behind him. Jack couldn't even gather the strength to pick himself from the heap he had collapsed in. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he finally admitted defeat.

He was done. Broken. A product of the evils around him.

Having his wings clipped wasn't as painful as Iggy might have originally thought. Though that didn't mean he ceased struggling. By the time they made it to the lab room, Iggy found that whatever drug they injected into his veins was already wearing off. His fast metabolism made keeping him even groggy under the influence incredibly difficult. He had no doubt these scientists would figure it out eventually. Still, as superhuman (if you could even call him that) as he was, he could only hold off so many people, can resist for only so long. They managed to subdue him, wrists locked together and held in place, Iggy squirmed, tried to snap open his wings, but a number of men - he couldn't quite be sure how many - grabbed hold of the boy's powerful wings, stilling them and refusing to allow him to move them an inch. Iggy was quite sure that if he still had his eye sight, his vision would be tunnelled at this point. Panic seeped into him. Having been found capable of flight, and now that too is being taken away... It was unbearable.

He had the horror of listening to the scissors as they snipped away at his primary feathers, hindering his flight capabilities, if not forcing them to an end altogether. It wasn't painful, but like birds in captivity in a similar situation, a deep feeling of humiliation settled where the panic had been. "Now they match your eyes." They're useless. Though, perhaps not completely. He could still unfurl them in a second, and Iggy bet he could use them to knock the whitecoats off balance in a fight. But what was the point? There was no place to go... and where was Jack? The fight is all but done, and they never made it to the front lines. Without any further pulling away, Iggy's wings settled back in their space next to his spine, and he went with the impressive number of scientists making sure the boy made no run for it. There was an air of resignation now, replaying fragile hope and simple confidence.

It was awhile longer, sitting alone in their containment room, before Jack made a reappearance. Iggy was sitting on the ledge he had claimed, his knees drawn up, when he heard the door open and the other boy get thrown in. Jack makes no move, even as the door shut, and Iggy had to listen for his hearing, sliding off his ledge to pad over to where the elemental is. He's alive, but not in good condition that much was certain. Iggy dropped to the floor beside Jack, gentle probing fingers pushing and searching. "Jack. C'mon, sit up." He knew he would rather nurse his own wounds in private. He never had anyone asking HIM if he was okay after being alone with the whitecoats for an extended period of time. How he knew what it meant to comfort was a mystery.

"Don't touch me.." Jack groaned, cold and unforgiving. He didn't want to move, sit up, or even lift a finger. His fragile limbs trembled at the mere thought of moving. Normally he wouldn't dare address Iggy in such a fashion, the closest thing he had to a friend. But, now he saw just how wrong it was to have cared for the other. If he had just subtracted personal feelings from the beginning, maybe they would both have been in a better predicament now. Instead, he was shattered to oblivion, and the hybrid boy had lost his ability of flight. It was all his fault..

"Everything hurts..." He moaned, more to the floor than Iggy.

Iggy's hands were quick to retract, recoiling internally at the command. "Okay..." He assured, hands falling flat in his lap. "I won't." If Jack is as pained as he sounds, there's no doubt he's sustained injuries he would rather be left unnoticed, unbothered, untouched, even by Iggy's feather light fingers. Which isn't exactly a good sign. The other boy must truly be injured. As well as the already messed up leg. The whitecoats back at the School weren't as sadistic as this. They were cruel, yes. They were sick. But at least they kept their experiments and test subjects in relatively good shape up until they're dissected or 'retired'. Iggy felt his stomach twist in disgust. Was he actually missing that place, or was this just a crazy version of thinking the grass is greener on the other side? "I don't want to die here." Iggy felt some urge to state. Just to make clear his protest of the situation. "Jack, you need to get up."

"Why? So that they can push me through some other test? Or break my other leg? THEY WIN. I'm done..." A bit of fight flared up as he finally managed to muscle some preserved strength. Against his trembling arms, Jack lifted himself from the floor and twisted around so that he was sitting. Holding his stomach in burnt hands, it rumbled yet again. How long had it been since he had eaten? The world was a dizzy mess as his head continued to throb and a sickness plagued him even worse than his fleshy injuries.

"YOU don't want to die here either." Iggy insisted, pale eyes narrowing. Although he could not touch Jack, assist in the other sitting up, he hoped some form of encouragement might help. Jack sat up, and Iggy sat back on his heels. No food. That's another problem. Although Jack may have been going longer without a proper amount of sustenance, already Iggy felt the gnawing empty hunger in the pit of his stomach, an unpleasant achy feeling. His metabolism is too fast for its own good. He can ignore it for now. Jack may not be able to. "I bet they'll get you something soon. They can't keep you starved."

"They'll make me dance for it..." Jack sighed, looking over towards the other. He hadn't meant literate dancing, of course. But rather that his meal would not come easy. Food was another incentive to be used against him. He cringed slightly, remembering past tasks he was asked to complete. It was all part of the training process, much like a pet. "I'd rather starve. Then everything would be over..." As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't keep doing this. The punishment was too severe. It would have been far easier to just comply from the beginning. Spare himself the burns and exhaustion. He could already feel his brain rewiring, presenting him with a simple truth. He was their property, and he was to do as they say.

Iggy honestly wouldn't put it past the men and women here on the whole making Jack work for his food. Work more than he already has? How can they even hope for the elemental to get up and move the next time he's called on. Jack had mentioned being immortal. Were these whitecoats really willing to test that? Yes, the easiest thing to do was to give up, give in. But doing so, meant accepting their fate. And that might just really kill. Iggy wasn't sure what to say to urge Jack to move. To keep going. Iggy was struggling himself to. Although there was no doubt the fact they were being watched and listened to at the moment, Iggy didn't need to see the room to know that... "We need to get out." It was a statement that truly didn't need to be said. "You need to tell me what outside looks like." And although that may have been a joke, it certainly wasn't said like one.

"O-Outside?" Jack was startled to hear that word come from Iggy, and in his shock that same word echoed against the grouted walls. Hastily, he lowered his voice, leaning in to the other. "We are both exhausted, and starved... there's no hope for even getting out of this room. Let alone out of this building. ...if it is a building. Iggy—" Though his retort was cut off by a series of coughs. The dehydrated elemental was determined though, not to let himself feel hope. It was pointless, and would only hurt worse in the end. "...it's not like I haven't tried.." He ended once he finally got himself quieted down again.

"Outside." Iggy nods, as if agreeing with what he was saying. Yes, that was right. They were going to get out of here. Somehow, his internal voice sounded way more confident than any other part of his body felt. And there was Jack with cruel fate. It wasn't the elemental's fault. He was speaking the simple truth. They were in a horribly unfair position with no reason to hope for escape. Not like this. "I know... I know, but I- I don't want to die here, Jack. I don't want to be here anymore." His voice cracked briefly before he caught himself and cleared his throat. "We'll come up with something. We'll..." Iggy's wings tightened against his back as he only continued to realise how bad off they are. "They clipped my wings."

There was a moment of silence that fell over Jack, a horror that took a moment to fully settle in. "They-WHAT!?" Jack was shocked that they would be so monstrous towards the hybrid, though really he should have expected this. Immediately guilt plagued plagued the elemental. After all, he had been the one to suggest flying. He was responsible for the now flightless boy. "I'm so.. so sorry." He murmured, bowing his head slightly. "This is all my fault." Noticing a new gleam to his skin, Jack pulled his hand up closer to his face. Great. A thick layer of frost was already cocooning the skin. It was how he healed, if the whitecoats allowed enough time for the process to continue. Soon he would be encased in the substance. "Uh, look, Iggy.. I have to get some rest. But, I promise to get you out of this. We'll see the outside... we will.."