Salem has been through enough tragedy, but this week, the whole town is abuzz with rumors that Stefano DiMera – the legendary DiMera boss – may be back.

For veteran fans, it’s no secret: Stefano has never been “human” in the normal sense. He can die, come back, disappear, and then reappear like a genetic curse in Salem.

And this time, the signs are so obvious that everyone is creeped out.

The news comes from a strange chain of events: Stephanie Johnson reports being followed, Alex Kiriakis discovers signs of someone breaking into his garage without leaving any trace.

The scene is described: Stephanie enters the house, hears a slight noise upstairs, turns on the light, and sees only the shadow of a man running out the back door. Long black coat, tall figure — no one says it, but everyone thinks of one person.

While Stephanie panics, Alex finds something even more terrifying: a chess piece sitting right in front of the garage door. Black. Heavy. And every DOOL fan knows it: it’s Stefano’s signature symbol. As if someone is signaling “we’re back on the board.”

On top of that, a mysterious shipment arrives in Salem that no one has claimed. Inside are documents and photos related to old DiMera Enterprises projects — things that were thought to have been burned years ago. This leaves the entire DiMera family confused: who is trying to rekindle the past? And more importantly — who has access to those files?

The “Stefano” thread becomes more dangerous as Stephanie and Alex are drawn directly into real danger. One rainy night, Stephanie’s car suddenly loses control on a downhill slope — sending her careening off the road and nearly plunging off a cliff. Alex discovers that someone has cut the brakes. The two look at each other, not daring to say what they’re thinking. If this is Stefano’s sign… then it’s only just begun.

In this tense atmosphere, the other characters start to panic: John and Marlena ask questions about the past, Chad freezes when he hears the news, and EJ — who runs the DiMera family — acts strangely: silent, evasive, and seemingly knowing more than he’s willing to say.

Is Stefano dead? Or is his shadow creeping in?

Salem has never been quiet. But this week, the “foreboding” feeling sent shivers down the spine. If Stefano does return — in any way — everyone in town will pay the price.