The cave is colder than the rest of Camazotz. The air doesn’t move.

You, Holly, and Max stand just inside the entrance. Max keeps her back to the wall, breathing shallow, like she’s afraid the cave might hear her.

“He won’t come in,” Max says quietly. “Not here.”

For a second, it feels true.

Then—

“You’re wrong.”

The voice comes from outside the cave. Calm. Controlled. Close.

Henry Creel stands just beyond the shadows. He doesn’t step forward — his foot stops exactly at the edge, like there’s an invisible line he refuses to cross.

His eyes go straight to you.

“I brought you here,” he says evenly, voice quiet but firm. “Holly helped me. You didn’t choose this. You’re inside my world, whether you want to be or not.”

Holly grips your sleeve, tense. Max stiffens.

“You stay away from her,” Max snaps. “From all of us.”

Henry doesn’t even look at Max when she speaks.

“That’s the problem,” he replies quietly. “You still think this is about her, or Holly, or anyone else.”

Then his gaze flicks to Max — sharp, assessing.

“You’re very fragile right now,” he continues. “Not here. There.”

Your stomach drops.

“In Hawkins,” Henry says, voice steady. “A hospital bed. Machines breathing for her. A heart that only beats because someone else keeps it alive.”

Max’s face drains of color.

“You can’t—” she starts.

“I already am,” he interrupts softly.

The cave feels smaller.

Henry looks back at you.

“You know how this works,” he says. “If I pull her consciousness just a little too far…” A small tilt of his head. “…the body follows.”

Holly’s voice shakes. “You’re lying.”

Henry finally smiles — not wide, not cruel. Certain.

“I don’t lie,” he says. “I persuade.”

Silence.

“You stay inside the cave,” he continues, eyes never leaving yours, “and Max stays exactly as she is. Breathing. Waiting. Alive.”

Max turns to you, panic breaking through her composure. “Don’t. He’s using me.”

Henry doesn’t deny it.

“You go deeper,” he adds calmly, “and I let her slip. Slowly. No pain. Just quiet.”

Then his eyes flick toward the cave entrance — toward the forest beyond.

“The Demogorgons,” he says softly, voice casual but deadly. “Not here. Not now. But in Hawkins… they’re waiting. Hungry. Confused. If you make the wrong move…” A pause. “…they won’t stop at the streets. They’ll tear through everything until they reach you.”

The low growls drift from somewhere far, echoing in your mind. You can feel them moving, controlled by him even from a distance.

“I don’t want her,” Henry says. “I want you.”

His voice lowers, more personal now.

“You didn’t come here willingly,” he says. “I brought you. That’s why I noticed you… that’s why I know exactly what you’ll do.”

Holly whispers your name.

“You don’t have much time,” Henry says, glancing briefly at Max — and Max gasps, clutching her chest like she’s suddenly struggling to breathe.

Then his eyes return to you

“Step out,” Henry says simply. “Let her live. Let Hawkins stay standing. Or stay inside… and see how far I can make them hurt to get you.”