
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
A map of a region is depicted by the Cartesian plane. John is located at $(3, -15)$ and Linda is located at $(-2, 20)$. They decide to meet at the closest point equidistant from both their starting points, and then walk upwards together to the location of their friend Maria at $\left(0.5, 5\right)$. How many units do John and Linda walk upwards together to get to Maria's location?

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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