@dfabro I think the portals are pre-existing but not necessarily caused by El. (I would say it's caused by those "things".) Although, she can channel herself to reach this dimension or space-between. Except, what we saw in her flashback there at the lab, was that she wasn't the only one dwelling in that territory. I like your speculation on the blood though, and it seems so.
Shout by Dominique FabroBlockedParent2016-07-24T04:13:31Z
I'm thinking eleven caused the portal. And she's scared to go back. It looks like the creature is definitely attracted to blood. Barb's bloody finger...the deer.