About an hour had passed since the supposed one wish challenges had begun.

During that time Ben would come back every so often to take another participant.

It was a weird feeling, how the room slowly felt smaller and smaller each time a participant left.

During the whole process, Aku was sitting in the front of the room, by the desk just humming to himself.

Joy wanted to talk to him, to try and gleam anymore information but one, she thought he wouldn't give it to her and two, he scared her.

Not a petrifying fear but if she learned anything it would be that he wasn't to be messed with; and everyone in the room had got a similar impression during his interaction with the glasses wearing man.

So instead of talking to him, Joy tried calculating a pattern in the time lapse between Ben taking a contestant past the doors, and him returning.

She thought and thought but couldn't find it.

It was too varied.

He would take 2 minutes to return with one person just to take 6 minutes longer with the next.

She did note that when it came to Lorial and most of the people seated at his table, it took longer for Ben to return than it did with most of the others.

Eventually, it was just her and Arthur seated together at the table.

"Looks like it's just us two now." Arthur said, wearing a solemn expression on his face.

"Yeah..." Joy didn't know what to say.

A part of her still feared what was to come while the other was eager.

She chose to stay, so she had to see things through no matter what and achieve her goal.

She still couldn't picture herself doing no matter what it took to get her wish granted, but it was still weighing heavily on her mind.

The doors opened suddenly, Ben walking out from behind them. "It's your turn, Arthur."

At hearing his name Arthur stood, but not before turning to Joy.

"Before I leave I just wanted to say... goodluck. You seem to have a strong will and while I'm not sure what lies ahead for us, I believe you'll make it far."

She gave him a surprised look, "You really think so?"

Arthur chuckled, "Yeah. Might seem weird to say since I just met but I'm usually good at reading people."

He turned away, walking down to meet Ben; turning around to wave goodbye and with that, the two walked through the doors.

The door shut and now, all alone, Joy sat in silence.

'Did he really mean that? I agree with having a strong will and all, I definitely intend to make it far after all. I just don't know what I'd have to do to get there...'

"Having some doubts, Ms. Joy?" She looked forward, seeing Aku smiling at her.

She instantly looked away nervously, "I... guess so."

There was a brief pause before Aku's next response, "So I take it your not a fan of the one wish challenges?"

Joy scanned the room, refusing to make eye contact, "Well neither I or anyone else really know what they are. Of course the people Ben took do, but before no-one could say for sure."

"Riiiiight." In an instant Aku appeared before her.

She didn't even hear him move, he was just there.

"Ah," Joy jumped back startled by his speed.

Aku gave an excited grin, "All I'll say is out of all the contestants, you and one other truly interest me."

Joy shivered at his words. What was that supposed to mean? She had no clue of knowing at the moment and given Aku's nature she wouldn't find out straight up.

"Well If you say so Aku."

Aku gave a smug smirk before turning around, "I do say so," and walking back to his prior seat.

The doors to the room opened, Ben walking through once more.

He looked at Joy across the room but he didn't need to say a word; she knew what she needed to do.

So without a word she walked down, prepared to leave but as they started walking out the door she had a feeling.

It was the same feeling she had when she opened her eyes to see the plate of food Aku prepared for her.

She turned behind her to see Aku, giving her a hearty thumbs up while mouthing the words "Goodluck."