Hopper boldly ventures into the contaminated tunnels, but fate deals him a cruel hand. His escape route is abruptly sealed, and vicious vines erupt from the walls, snaring their tendrils around him, trapping him like a fly in a web. Realizing Hopper's peril, Will's heart sinks into despair.
Lucas confesses to Max the truth behind Will's mysterious disappearance from the previous year. Initially skeptical, Max notices the gravity in Lucas's eyes and decides to give him the benefit of the doubt, suspending her disbelief.
Jonathan and Nancy converge with Bauman, spilling their guts about the surreal events unfolding in Hawkins. They present Owens' recorded confession as irrefutable evidence. Bauman, though initially skeptical, is swayed by their sincerity and agrees that the story must be told. However, he cautions that the truth, as it stands, is too incredible for the masses to swallow. They ultimately decide to spin a modified, yet more credible version of the tale, framing Barb's death as a result of toxins emanating from the lab.
Meanwhile, Dustin senses Dart's escalating menace and takes matters into his own hands. He traps the monster in his root cellar and enlists Steve's aid to battle the beast.
Eleven hitchhikes her way to Terry's abode, telepathically probing his mind. She glimpses haunting visions of another child imprisoned within the Hawkins Lab and Terry's tortured past, crippled by forced shock therapy.
By decoding Will's intricate drawings, Bob manages to pinpoint Hopper's whereabouts. He and Joyce embark on a daring rescue mission, descending into the labyrinthine tunnels. They are joined by a team of scientists from the Hawkins Lab, armed with the task of burning away the vine-infested passageways. As the flames lick the walls, Will lets out a pained scream, collapsing to the ground in agony.
