What conclusion might someone draw if they can't find Ed?

In the context of the question, the most fitting choice is to conclude that someone would "guess" if they cannot find Ed. This reflects a common human response to uncertainty; when faced with a lack of information or absence of a person, individuals often make a guess about the circumstances or whereabouts of that person. Guessing signifies a level of speculation—that is, the individual is filling in the gaps in their knowledge with assumptions based on partial information.

The other options, while they may seem related, do not directly align with the act of drawing a conclusion in this specific scenario. "Hope" suggests a feeling of desire for a positive outcome rather than an actionable interpretation of a situation. "Assume" could imply a more definitive stance, which might not be justified if the person truly cannot find Ed and lacks sufficient context. "Decide" involves making a choice or coming to a conclusion based on deliberation, which may not apply without adequate information about Ed's whereabouts. Therefore, the act of guessing best captures the instinctual reaction to a situation where an individual is missing or unaccounted for.