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Throughout a large portion of the fifth and final season of the popular Netflix show, the young Holly Wheeler and Max Mayfield find themselves trapped in a realm of memories built from the past of Henry Creel. The search for a way out in the pivotal sixth episode has them witness again a defining event from Henry's early years—an event that potentially carries the secret to his downfall permanently.

Heads Up: This discussion contains major spoilers for the concluding episodes.

Unearthing the Secrets of the Tunnel

When she finds Max in the mental landscape called Camazotz, Max reveals she is taking refuge in a grotto that Henry strangely fears. An accidental discovery a spyglass found in Henry's old home allows Holly to realize that the danger lies outside of the cave. When she lines up her view through the cap, she and Max suddenly fall into a deep mine shaft.

They watch a child version of Henry find an man who is hurt and scared. As the boy offers aid, the man fires a gun, wounding the boy in the hand. To protect himself, Henry strikes the man down with a rock. "Is this what corrupted him?" Holly asks tearfully. The answer is affirmative, but the event wasn't just a simple act of survival.

Similar to other plot points this season, the full story behind the encounter was first explored the live show The First Shadow.

A Naval Mystery and A Spy's Mission

The play reveals the 1943 event, which allegedly sent a U.S. Navy ship into a plane later called the Abyss. The ship was attacked, and the only one to return was the ship's commander, who came back in a catatonic condition with an entirely new blood.

This man's son, a young Martin Brenner, attempted to recreate this phenomenon in Nevada. But a disloyal lab worker took experimental components to hand over to the Communist spies, who were desperate to launch their parallel research. That traitor in the mine shaft is that employee.

So, What's in the Case?

Based on what is known about Brenner's work, the container would assuredly have vials of the unique blood type. As shown, Henry is wounded and bleeding. He likely becomes contaminated upon handling the contents, causing the development of his psychic abilities—powers he would genetically impart to the children under Brenner's care.

Another possibility, the case could have held strange particles that eventually found its way to the secret facility, where it helps stabilize the mirror dimension. The prequel shows that Henry was transported in the Abyss, coming back after half a day with a new blood type and personality. From then on, he battles the influence of a dark entity, reminiscent of how Will Byers was controlled by the shadow monster in season 2.

Confronting Terror

The reason Henry avoids the cave linked to that memory highlights how utterly horrifying the encounter was for him. While he commands the collective consciousness and attempts to pull the Abyss into Hawkins, a part of him remains. Vecna uses fear, and the narrative points to a final confrontation between him and Will, who has overcome his own deepest fears to gain strength.

Will's growth has effectively disarmed Vecna. Crucially, Will now is aware of what his enemy truly fears, which could provide a key upper hand in the ultimate battle ahead.