While Salem is warming up with rekindled romance, the DiMera household is plunged into hell.

The opening scene depicts the howling wind around the mansion as Kristen DiMera discovers she is locked in the basement with Tony.

Outside, Chad and EJ race against time to find them, while the mysterious kidnapper remains unmasked.

After many suspenseful episodes, his identity is finally revealed: a former bodyguard of Stefano DiMera, whom Kristen betrayed years ago.

He returns, not for money, but for revenge. Kristen’s struggle in the darkness, suffering from a high fever due to an infected wound, is one of Stacy Haiduk’s most powerful performances.

Meanwhile, Belle Black attempts to offer legal advice to Brady, who is embroiled in another predicament involving Rachel and Sophia. But she never imagined that this kidnapping would drag Brady into a new spiral of guilt: if Chad hadn’t arrived in time, Kristen would have died, and Brady would have lost the woman who had been his biggest nightmare – in a way he never wanted.

The episode ends with Kristen being rescued in critical condition, and the kidnapper fleeing into the woods. His final words – “Salem hasn’t seen it all yet” – sent chills down the audience’s spines.