Spoilers for Stranger Things season 1 episode 2.
Mike brings Eleven into his basement and gives her somewhere to sleep. Lucas and Dustin want an adult to take charge, but Eleven warns Mike that dangerous people are looking for her. He stays home from school and shows her around the house. A photograph of Will catches her attention, giving Mike a reason to believe she can help find him. When Lucas tries to tell Mike's mother about their guest, Eleven shuts the bedroom door with her mind. Later, she turns over the boys' game board, places Will's figure on its underside and uses the Demogorgon miniature to represent what he is hiding from.
Hopper investigates Benny's apparent suicide and learns that a child was seen at the diner. A search near the building uncovers a drainage tunnel leading toward Hawkins Lab. Jonathan visits his father, Lonnie, but finds no sign of Will there. Joyce replaces her burned telephone and receives another call: this time she hears Will speak before the receiver fails. Lights and music draw her into his bedroom, where something pushes against the wall. Nancy attends Steve's party with Barb, who cuts her hand and feels increasingly out of place. Jonathan photographs the party from outside. Nancy goes upstairs with Steve while Barb waits alone beside the pool. Blood drips from Barb's hand into the water, and a creature takes her into the darkness.