I thought of the "Eleven has died" angle - but then I thought that such a huge plot development in the end would be something they would keep carefully under wraps.....but messing with us would be something that the Duffers would do. @Fisher Fan

Right, exactly. It was my first thought, because that's what it's supposed to look like if they really wanted to mess with us. But I doubt it will happen, considering the weight of her character. However, that doesn't rule out a grave injury or something else, which might explain why it's Hopper and Mike, and not Jonathan and Mike (should something have happened to Will, for example).

@Fisher Fan - Think of all the other characters who might die, whose deaths would emotionally impact Mike - Hopper could be consoling Mike in regard to any of those deaths.

Or, the Duffers are completely playing us and none of those characters are going to die.

That's true - it may have been released, as it was assumed we'd infer it was about Eleven, when it really could be about anyone close to their hearts. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Something serious that someone has died either Eleven or Karen or something serious happened

I think it's gonna be the WHOLE Byers family that dies

Will for Mike, Joyce for Hopper

Then, to extend this theory, Lonnie will come back and will keep pressing the police. Hopper will tell him after the intense pressure, then that will be how the rumor REALLY gets out.

@Super Goat 101 Ok, now thats something messed up which i could not have thought up.

@PresidentSmith609

There's a high chance I'm wrong, but this would be my guess if it WEREN'T Eleven

@Super Goat 101 It's highly unlikly.

Trying to save Will for 2 seasons then him dying, does not do justice to the character and the effots of others.

Similary, Joyce trying to save Will and ending up losing Jonathan is also not great

Joyce dying is possible trying to save both her sons.