During his interrogation at Hawkins Lab, Hopper cleverly negotiated a deal with Brenner. He revealed the location of Eleven, bargaining for the chance to enter the Upside Down along with Joyce in a desperate attempt to rescue Will. Deep within the twisted realm of the Upside Down, they discovered Will unconscious in the eerie library. They quickly yanked a slimy tendril from his throat, administered CPR, and miraculously brought him back to consciousness.
Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan rigged the Byers' home with traps, daring the monster to approach with their own blood as a lure. Little did they know, Steve had arrived, intent on apologizing to Jonathan for their earlier altercation. But before they could reconcile, the monster struck, springing the trap only to flee back to its lair in the Upside Down. Eleven and the boys sought refuge in the safety of the middle school.
Mike summoned the courage to invite Eleven to the Snow Ball, a school dance filled with joy and laughter. As the music played, he leaned in and kissed her, a moment of pure happiness amidst the chaos. But the military soon stormed the school, intent on capturing Eleven once again. She fought back, using her powers to fend them off, but the effort left her exhausted and collapsing to the ground. Brenner, who had been cradling her, was suddenly attacked by the monster, seemingly killed in the fray.
The boys scrambled to hide Eleven in a classroom, but the monster soon tracked them down. With a flash of her power, Eleven pinned the creature against the wall, her gaze steely and determined. She whispered a farewell to Mike, then disintegrated the monster into nothingness, vanishing from sight.
Will, now safely hospitalized, was reunited with his mother, brother, and friends. The air was filled with relief and joy, but Hopper, sensing an uneasy calm, stepped outside for a smoke. As he did so, a black car pulled up, and two government agents emerged, beckoning him to join them. Reluctantly, Hopper complied, climbing into the car as it drove away, leaving the hospital and its warmth behind.
A month later, the holidays brought a touch of normality. Nancy and Steve had mended their relationship and were now friends with Jonathan. Hopper, a man of few words but deep feelings, left a box filled with Eggo waffles and other treats in the woods, a silent gesture of care and comfort. At the Byers' household, Will excused himself from the Christmas dinner, claiming a need to use the bathroom. There, he coughed up a slug-like creature into the sink, a harrowing reminder of his encounter with the Upside Down. But he kept this secret from his family, determined to protect them from the horrors he had faced.
