HOPPER RETURNS TO THE ROOM, Joyce pacing worriedly, Will on the table still sedated, Dr. Owens looking at the map, Mariella and Mike sitting while they straight blankly at the floor.

"He's down. We got him a walkie," Hopper says as he closed the door. Rifle in his hand. Joyce sighing out in relief as Hopper walks over to Mariella and Mike, palming something in his pocket.

"Listen kid. I heard that stunt you pulled last year in the school with that pistol," He begins, looking down at Mariella who stared back at him with her brows furrowed.

"What?" She asks, furrowing her eyebrows nervously. No one knew the specific details about what had happened in the school except for the party. So how did he know?

Hopper shakes his head. "You're not in trouble. If you were I would've talked to you a long time ago. You're a good shot, yeah?" He goes on, hand still in pocket holding onto the metallic handle.

She nods slowly. "That's what the boys say. My dad taught me in case anything bad happened," She responds, Mike looking to the side. He already knew how he knew. The boys couldn't shut up about it after it happened. They talked about the way Mariella hit every shot all the time. Hopper must've heard them.

Nodding, Hopper pulled the black pistol from his pocket and hands it to her. She accepts it, looking down at the black handle. The cold metal on her skin. She hadn't held one since last year.

"I only want you to use this if you have no other options, okay? I don't want to hear you shooting around like a madman," Hopper explains to her. "You only use that if you're in danger," He goes on, staring down at her sternly.

She nods shakily, blinking rapidly and checking to see if the safety was on. It was. "O-Okay," She tells him, gripping the handle of the gun.

"You sure you got this, kid?" Hopper asks her, putting a hand on her shoulder noticing her jitters.

Mariella nods. "I got it. Yeah," She assures him, continuing to nod before Mike butts in.

"She was like this last time. Landed every shot though," He says, rubbing Mariella's arm.

"Alright. I believe you," Hopper nods, patting her shoulder once more before turning back to Joyce and explaining what had happened.

Mariella looks to Mike, shaking her head as a way to get rid of the jitters. "How'd he know?" She asks him, leaning closer to his face.

Mike rolls his eyes. "Lucas, Will, Dustin, and I might've freaked out about it a few times," He shrugs casually. Mariella forming her lips into a line before she leans away from in.

"Idiots," She says.

Just then, the lights flip back on. The monitors too. All of them walking towards them and scanning the screens for Bob. "He made it," Mike nods.

Maybe there was hope, after all.

Dr. Owens rushes to the microphone. Pressing the button down, a res light emanating as he speaks into it. "Okay, Bob, can you hear us?" He asks.

"Loud and clear, Doc. Can you hear me back?" Bob responds.

Sighs of relief come from everyone in the room, Joyce smiling widely as Dr. Owens responds. "We heard you,".

"Alright. Give me a minute," Bob says. "Open sesame," He adds.

A buzz comes from the hallways. Dr. Owens face lighting up as he stares up. "It's open," He looks to the group.

"Easy peasy," Bob's voice comes through the walkie. They could practically hear his smile through it.

Hopper smiles softly. "Son of a bitch did it," He says.

"Alright. I'll meet you outside," Bob adds.

Dr. Owens presses down on the button again. "Nice job," He replies as he scans the screens before pausing. "Hold on a second, chief," He adds pointing to a screen.

Hopper looks back, walking towards him. "What's wrong?" He asks.

"West stairwells not clear anymore," Dr. Owens responds, the group watching as one of the creatures hops down the stairs.

"What's going on?" Bob asks.

"We've got some company," Hopper responds to him as they all stare at the screen.

"Where?" Bob asks again.

"The west stairwell," Dr. Owens responds as Mariella goes towards the map and begins scanning it for any other options. Nothing. She sighs, walking back towards the group.

"I got an idea," Bob tells them before the line goes dead.

"What the hells he doing?" Dr. Owens asks, watching as he goes back to the computer in the screen. 

They watch the screens intently, the sprinkler system going off causing the creature to screech and retreat back up. "Okay. Okay, that worked," Dr. Owens speaks into the mic, looking between the group in surprised excitement. "Now get out of there. Go! Go!".

Hopper turns to Mariella, "Use the fun when needed, okay, kid?" He says to her as he walks over to Will and hauls him over his shoulder.

She nods. "I will. Trust me," She says as they crowd around the door and get ready to exit.

Dr. Owens stops them. "Wait a minute, chief," He says, walking over to them with an extra walkie in his hand.

"What?" Hopper asks, staring down at it.

"Take this," He says.

Hopper takes it in his hand. "What are you doing?".

"Any more surprises. I'll let you know. Go. Go!" Dr. Owens tells them. Hoppers sighing as he turns back towards the door. Mariella turning the safety off in the gym as he opens the door.

"And you, Mariella," Dr. Owens calls after her. She looks back at him as Hopper, Joyce, and Mike slowly exit. "You were right," He smiles solemnly. She smiles back, mouthing a 'Thank you' before she walks after the rest of them.