Salem is entering its darkest phase when Chad DiMera suddenly disappears, leaving his family, friends, and clan in a state of extreme panic.

According to leaked preview images, Chad is not simply going somewhere to “de-stress”—he is drawn into a mysterious kidnapping and is likely being held in the DiMera crypt, where a series of family secrets have yet to be exposed.

It all starts at a seemingly peaceful family meeting.

Chad receives a call, steps outside for a few minutes… and then disappears completely.

No phone, no footprints, no witnesses. The DiMera clan is immediately in a panic: EJ is angry, Kate is crying, Tony suspects an insider has betrayed him. Arguments explode like bombs, turning the DiMera house into a literal battlefield.

Meanwhile, the reality of Chad’s captivity is even more terrifying. The cellar door slams shut, and darkness descends. Chad is bound, his mouth gagged, and all he can hear is the heavy breathing of another person trapped with him. Is it Gabi? Or a previously “dead” character who is actually still alive? DOOL is famous for this kind of twist — and fans are holding their breath for the reveal.

Salem isn’t standing still either. Julie, Marlena, Abe, and even Brady begin to look for any clues that might lead to Chad. A stranger claims to have seen a hooded figure dragging Chad into a black van. And as they dig deeper, all fingers point to one very dangerous person: an old enemy of the DiMera family who has sworn revenge until his last breath.

If Chad isn’t found in 48 hours, a life could be lost. And the scariest thing: the person behind the kidnapping may be very close, even within the DiMera family itself.

Salem is burning — and Chad is the first spark.