As much as I love all the "Dustin didn't check for a pulse" theories..I jus can't get behind them.
And here's why:
You can't tell me that Dustin didn't have to literally be drug through the Upside Down and back into Hawkins while kicking and screaming to be let go.
This is how I picture it going down:
Lightning crashed through the sky as Vecna's last screams echoed through the Upside Down. Robin, Nancy, and Steve had jus made it back into Hawkins safely, now running towards Eddie's trailer to meet back up with Dustin & Eddie. They reached the camper and...silence.
Instantly they knew something was up.
Bursting through the door, the trio came to a staggering halt as they saw the sheet into the Upside Down had been cut and neither of the guys were there. Without a moments hesitation, Steve drug the closest chair he could find over to the gate and began climbing up. Robin was dumbfounded; words had escaped her and her mind was reeling with all the possible scenrios. Nancy, tho, held Steve's legs and helped him through before climbing onto the chair so she could follow.
"Oh no, absolutely not Nancy Wheeler. If something went wrong, I don't want you or Robin there. I've got this..you two just stay safe" And with that Steve was gone.
Sprinting through the Upside Down version of Eddie's trailer park, Steve screamed out for them. Lightning crashed around him, demobats circled and screamed. And then he saw it.
There in the middle of the street was Dustin, clutching what appeared to be Eddie's lifeless body. Steve's heart sank, his stomach flipped, and against his will he retched, sobs catching in his throat.
Once he had regained control of himself, he ran to Dustin.
Blood was pooled around him and Eddie lay lifeless in his arms. Dustin's sobs were no longer audible, his voice broken and hoarse. Steve grabbed him, pulling Dustin to his chest and hugging him tight. Eddie was gone. His blood soaked the ground around them and Steve knew if they didn't get out, they could be next.
"Come on, Henderson.." Steve stood and offered his hand to Dustin, but Dustin refused. His eyes went back to Eddie. Dustin curled his fingers into the leather jacket Eddie wore and a broken cry left his lips. "Henderson, man..we have to go." Steve grabbed his shoulder, shaking him back to reality as he tried to pull Dustin away. "We have to go..now." Demobats filled the sky, circling ever closer and Steve knew they only had moments of safety left.
Against everything his mind was saying, Steve dropped down and grabbed Dustin, wrapping his arms around his waist and physically lifting him to his feet. Once he was standing, Steve grabbed Dustin's arm and yanked him away from Eddie as rain began to pelt the ground. Thunder roared and the sky filled with red lightning as the demobats grew ever closer.
Dustin was screaming. He was cussing Steve for everything he was worth but Steve didn't care. He half drug, half carried Dustin towards Eddie's camper as Dustin fought against him.
Once they reached the camper, Steve shoved Dustin through the door and slammed it behind them. Dustin was furious and still screaming at Steve, his voice breaking as Steve interrupted. "He's gone, Henderson..you hear me?" He yelled, blood and tears staining his vision. "He's gone and there's not shit we can do about it and I have to keep you safe!! If I don't, he'll have died in vain!!" Steve's heart broke, his fist slammed into the camper door behind him as he swung around and banged his head against the frame.
"We can't let him die in vain, Henderson..you understand me?"
