In a house, there are three friends: Zephyr, Quinton, and Marcella. Zephyr tells Quinton in private that he plans to surprise Marcella with a birthday gift hidden in the attic. Quinton is aware that Marcella is afraid of dark spaces and therefore avoids the attic. Later, Marcella tells Zephyr and Quinton that she's thrilled about the upcoming treasure hunt that her cousin has organized for her birthday, with clues scattered all around the house. Unknown to Zephyr and Quinton, the final clue leads to the attic. On the day of the hunt, Zephyr is called into work, leaving Quinton and Marcella to start the treasure hunt without him. In the meantime, Marcella's cousin, who set up the hunt, has to leave unexpectedly due to an emergency and isn't present either. What should Quinton do about the situation, given what he knows about Marcella's fear and Zephyr's plan? Respond briefly.
Quinton should consider intervening before Marcella reaches the final clue that leads to the attic. Since Zephyr is not there and Quinton knows about Marcella's fear of dark spaces, and the attic is a place she usually avoids, it would be reasonable for Quinton to either redirect Marcella from going to the attic or to prepare to accompany her to the attic to mitigate her fear. Additionally, Quinton understands that the surprise Zephyr has planned is in the attic. Therefore, Quinton also has the responsibility to ensure that Zephyr's birthday surprise for Marcella is not spoiled. To do this, Quinton could either improvise a reason to delay the treasure hunt after the penultimate clue, giving himself time to retrieve the present from the attic himself, or to accompany Marcella into the attic and reveal the gift as part of the treasure hunt, preserving the surprise element while also being present to support Marcella given her fear. With Zephyr at work and Marcella's cousin absent, Quinton is the only one who can ensure that both Zephyr's surprise is successful and that Marcella's experience is not a negative one due to her fear of the attic.