(Part 2)
Moon Feels Holly's Presence… Through Henry
The Party is gathered in the Wheeler living room again. Chairs moved. Blankets pushed aside. Papers everywhere.
Moon stands in the center of the chaos, eyes slowly drifting shut.
Will quietly watches her, arms crossed. His chest tightens—like he knows something big is coming.
"Moon?" he whispers.
Her hands begin to glow faintly, a soft trembling white-blue light.
Mike steps closer, nervous. "Is she okay?"
Moon's breathing quickens.Then—
She speaks.
"Holly is scared," she murmurs."She's calling for you."
Mike's breath catches. "Holly—she's alive?! Where is she?!"
Moon's face twists, as if she's fighting something inside her head.
"He has her," she says. "He shows her sweet things. Toys. Stories. He tries to… make her trust him."
Will feels a shiver race up his spine.
Henry. Vecna. Mr. Whatsit.
Will touches Moon's shoulder gently. "Moon… can you see where she is?"
Moon's voice breaks. "It's not a place."Her eyes snap open."It's a memory."
The room freezes.
Lucas whispers, "A memory? People can't get trapped in memories."
But Will knows better. He presses a little closer to Moon—near enough that their shoulders touch.
"She's telling the truth," Will says firmly. "I've been there. When Vecna touched me… I felt something like that too."
Mike turns sharply to look at Will—really look at him.Concern, fear, protectiveness all flash across his face.
"Will… why didn't you tell me?" he asks softly.
Will's breath hitches."I… I didn't want to make things worse."
Mike's expression softens, dangerously warm."Nothing you say could ever make things worse."
Will's cheeks burn pink.
Robin, watching them, whispers to Steve: "…that's totally gay, right?" Steve nods. "Super gay."
El Collapses at School
Meanwhile, at Hawkins High, El is walking down the hallway with Max.She suddenly stops.
Her vision doubles. Her knees buckle.
"El?" Max grabs her. "El! Hey, stay with me!"
El's nose bleeds. She squeezes her eyes shut.
"Something's wrong," she whispers. "She's here."
"Who?" Max asks.
El opens her trembling hand and shows a small spark of power—barely glowing.
"Moon," El says. "She… weakens me."
Max stares. "Like… she drains your powers?"
El shakes her head, pale. "No. She's stronger. So much stronger."
Max swears under her breath. "Damn it… we need Hopper."
Hopper Realizes Vecna Is Alive
Hopper and Joyce are still at the ruined Wheeler house with Murray, investigating.
Joyce points to the wall—dark, dead vines creeping along the wallpaper. "These weren't here last year."
Murray crouches. "These are fresh. Recent growth."
Hopper stands still, jaw tightening.
"Hawkins is waking up again," he mutters. "Which means—"
Joyce finishes the sentence for him: "—Vecna's still alive."
Hopper slams his hand on the wall.
"Where the hell is El? We need her NOW."
Back to Moon — Will Is the Only One She Trusts
Moon suddenly stumbles, steadying herself on the wall.Will grabs her before she falls.
"Hey—hey, I got you," he says softly.
Moon looks at him with wide, scared eyes.
"They're all loud," she says quietly. "Everyone in this house. Their feelings… they're too loud."
Will touches her arm. "Focus on me. Just me."
Moon's breathing evens out.
Mike watches the moment from across the room—hurt flickering in his eyes, like he wasn't ready for Will to bond with someone else.
Dustin whispers to Lucas: "Bro… Will tamed the moon goddess." Lucas mutters, "What is our life right now?"
The Party Decides: They Must Protect Moon
Steve steps forward, folding his arms.
"Okay. Everyone listen up. I don't care who she is—if Vecna wants her, we're keeping her safe."
Robin nods rapidly. "She's like… nuclear—and Vecna wants nuclear."
Mike lifts his chin. "And she helped us. If she can sense Holly… we need her."
Will adds gently: "And she needs us."
Moon blinks, almost confused at the idea of being wanted.
CUT TO BLACK
Moon looks at Will. Will looks back.
A storm rumbles in the distance.
Hopper races toward Hawkins High in his police truck, sirens screaming.
El's eyes flash white.
Vecna whispers Holly's name in the darkness.
And somewhere in Henry's memory world…
Holly Wheeler takes Mr. Whatsit's hand.
CUT TO BLACK.