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During the bulk of season 5 of the popular Netflix show, the young Holly Wheeler and Max find themselves trapped in a realm of memories constructed from the recollections of Henry Creel. The search for freedom in episode 6 forces them to witness again a traumatic incident from Henry's youth—an event that potentially carries the key to defeating him permanently.

Heads Up: This article reveals crucial plot points for the concluding episodes.

A Journey Into the Cavern

After locating Max in the world known as Camazotz, Max reveals she is taking refuge in a cave that Henry avoids at all costs. An accidental discovery a telescope pilfered from Henry's old home lets Holly see that the danger lies beyond the cave. When she lines up her view through the cap, she and Max plummet into a subterranean passage.

In this place, they observe a child version of Henry find an man who is hurt and scared. When Henry tries to help, the man reacts violently, wounding the boy in the hand. Fighting for his life, Henry strikes the man down with a rock. "Did this make Henry evil?" Holly questions through tears. The answer is affirmative, but the act involved more than a fight for life.

Similar to other plot points of the final season, the full story behind the mine shaft incident originates in the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

A Naval Mystery and A Spy's Mission

*The First Shadow* opens with the legendary naval test, which allegedly sent a U.S. Navy ship into a dimension dubbed the Abyss. Demogorgons assaulted it, and the sole survivor was the captain, who emerged in a catatonic condition with an entirely new blood.

This man's son, Martin Brenner, attempted to recreate this phenomenon in remote Nevada. However, a treacherous employee took experimental components to give to the Communist spies, who were desperate to launch their parallel research. This spy in the cavern is that employee.

The Briefcase's Contents

Given what is understood of the doctor's experiments, the briefcase most likely held vials of the unique blood type. At that moment, Henry is already bleeding. It's probable he was infected upon contact with the blood, which triggered the development of his psychic abilities—powers he would inadvertently transfer to the children Brenner would experiment on.

Alternatively, the case could have held exotic matter that eventually found its way to the secret facility, where it helps stabilize the mirror dimension. *The First Shadow* reveals that Henry ended up in the Abyss, reappearing after half a day fundamentally changed. As a youth, he struggles with the whispers of a malevolent force, much like how Will Byers was influenced by the shadow monster in the past.

Confronting Terror

His lasting fear associated with the mine demonstrates how deeply scarring the incident was for him. While he orchestrates the collective consciousness and works to collapse the Abyss into Hawkins, a part of him still exists. Fear is his tool, and the show is setting up a showdown between him and Will, who has overcome his personal demons to become stronger.

Will's growth has neutralized a key tactic of Vecna. Furthermore, Will now understands what Vecna himself fears, which could provide a key upper hand in the series finale ahead.