The worst part about Hawkins?
It doesn't stop.
It doesn't breathe.
It just keeps swallowing.
The Survivor
The nurse's office smells like antiseptic and panic.
A girl is sitting on the bed, shaking so hard the blankets tremble with her.
Her name is Heather Simmons.
Cheerleading team.
Third target.
Alive.
Barely.
Hopper stands near the doorway, arms crossed like he's holding himself together by force.
Nancy is beside him, notebook clenched tight.
Heather's voice is hoarse.
"I—I thought it was just… something to calm down."
Nancy leans in. "Who gave it to you?"
Heather's eyes fill with tears.
"I didn't see their face."
Hopper snaps, "Did you see anything?"
Heather flinches.
Then whispers:
"…A ring."
Silence.
Nancy's breath catches.
"A ring?" she repeats carefully.
Heather nods.
"A big one. Gold. Like… a class ring, but older."
Hopper's eyes narrow.
Nancy's mind is racing.
Trusted adult.
Close.
Always close.
Heather trembles.
"They said… they said it would make everything quiet."
Nancy's voice turns sharp.
"Who is they?"
Heather starts crying.
"I don't know! I don't know!"
Hopper mutters, furious:
"Someone's walking around this town like they own it."
Nancy whispers:
"…They do."
Brenner's Mask Slips
Hopper doesn't wait.
He storms into Hawkins Community Education Office again.
Brenner is already standing.
Like he expected him.
That smile.
That same calm.
Hopper throws a photo on the desk.
Heather.
Hospital bed.
Brenner's eyes flicker.
Just once.
Hopper leans forward.
"Third girl. Still wanna tell me it's 'educational research?'"
Brenner sighs.
"Chief Hopper… grief makes you theatrical."
Hopper growls:
"Grief makes me honest."
Nancy steps forward, voice ice-cold.
"You're involved."
Brenner tilts his head.
"Am I?"
Nancy slams her hand on the desk.
"Stop pretending! People are dying!"
For the first time…
Brenner's smile fades.
His voice drops.
"Careful, Nancy."
Hopper stiffens.
Brenner continues softly:
"You think you're the first young woman in Hawkins to believe she could uncover something buried?"
Nancy's blood turns cold.
"…What?"
Brenner's eyes sharpen like knives.
"You don't know what Hawkins is."
Hopper snaps:
"Then tell us."
Brenner leans back.
And the warmth is gone now.
Replaced with something old.
Something dark.
"You should stop asking questions."
Nancy whispers:
"Or what?"
Brenner smiles again.
But it's wrong.
"Oh…"
His voice is almost tender.
"Or you'll lose someone you love."
Mike & Will Break
Mike's basement feels too small.
Too quiet.
Will sits on the couch, sketchbook untouched.
Mike paces like a trapped animal.
Finally Will speaks.
"You knew that voice."
Mike stops.
"Yeah."
Will's voice trembles.
"So why aren't you saying it?"
Mike's jaw clenches.
"Because if I say it, it becomes real."
Will stands.
"It IS real!"
Mike's voice cracks.
"I can't do this right now!"
Will laughs bitterly.
"Right. Because you never do."
Mike freezes.
Will's eyes are wet.
"You always run away when it's about us."
Mike snaps:
"Don't say that!"
Will steps closer.
"Then what is it, Mike?"
Mike's breathing is shaky.
"I don't know!"
Will's voice breaks.
"I do."
Silence.
Mike whispers:
"…Will…"
Will's tears spill over.
"I'm in love with you."
The words hit the basement like a gunshot.
Mike goes still.
His face goes pale.
Will laughs through tears.
"Yeah. There. I said it. Happy?"
Mike's voice is barely audible.
"Will… I…"
Will wipes his face hard.
"No. Don't."
Mike steps forward desperately.
"I wasn't gonna—"
Will shakes his head violently.
"I can't hear you say no."
Mike's eyes are wide, panicked.
"I'm not saying no!"
Will freezes.
Mike's voice cracks open.
"I'm not saying no, okay?"
Will stares at him like the world just shifted.
Mike whispers:
"I just… I don't know how to survive this."
Will's voice is broken.
"Then stay."
Mike's throat tightens.
"I'm trying."
And for a second…
They just stand there.
Two boys drowning in something bigger than fear.
Steve Notices Lena — And It Gets Dangerous
Outside Family Video, Steve is locking up when he hears footsteps.
He turns.
Lena.
Hood up.
Nervous.
Steve's stomach drops.
"Lena? What are you doing out here?"
She fidgets.
"I—I wanted to thank you."
Steve exhales.
"You already did. Go home."
Lena's cheeks pink.
"I just… you didn't have to save me."
Steve's voice softens despite himself.
"Yeah. I did."
Lena's eyes flicker.
"…You're really brave."
Steve immediately panics.
"I'm really not."
Lena smiles faintly.
Steve rubs his face.
"Oh my god."
Then—
A sound behind them.
Steve stiffens.
A branch snapping.
Lena's smile fades.
Steve's voice turns sharp.
"Get behind me."
Lena whispers:
"…Steve?"
Steve's heart pounds.
Someone is there.
Watching.
Closer than ever.
The Watcher Takes Someone Alone
Dustin is biking home when his tire hits something sharp.
POP.
He curses.
"Seriously?!"
He hops off, kneeling.
Then—
A shadow falls over him.
Dustin freezes.
Slowly looks up.
A figure stands there.
Not Jason.
Not a jock.
Someone older.
Calm.
A hand extends.
Holding something small.
A baggie.
White powder.
Dustin's blood turns to ice.
The voice is soft.
Familiar.
"Curious kids get hurt, Dustin."
Dustin's mouth goes dry.
"…How do you know my name?"
The figure tilts their head.
"Oh…"
A smile in the dark.
"I know all of you."
Dustin scrambles backward.
"Stay away from us!"
The figure steps closer.
"You're interfering."
Dustin's breath shakes.
"Chrissy wasn't Eddie!"
The voice turns cold.
"I know."
Dustin freezes.
"…You know?"
The figure leans in.
"So stop pretending this is about Eddie Munson."
Dustin whispers:
"…Then what is it about?"
The watcher smiles.
"It's about Hawkins."
And then—
They vanish into the dark.
Leaving Dustin shaking on the pavement.
The Party Realizes
That night, everyone gathers again.
Basement.
Fear.
Truth.
Dustin bursts in, breathless.
"It's not Jason. It's not the jocks. It's—"
Mike stands. "Dustin—"
Dustin's voice breaks.
"Someone talked to me. Someone KNOWS us."
Silence.
Will whispers:
"The watcher."
Nancy nods grimly.
Hopper's voice is low.
"This is organized."
Steve's jaw clenches.
"And it's getting closer."
Max's eyes flash.
"So what do we do?"
Eddie whispers:
"…We stop running."
Lucas swallows hard.
"And we find out who the hell is poisoning girls in this town."
Mike's hand brushes Will's.
Will freezes.
Mike doesn't pull away.
Mike whispers:
"We're in this together."
Outside…
Somewhere in Hawkins…
A trusted adult smiles in the dark.