After two shocking events, Salem is shrouded in fog – literally and figuratively.

Aaron wakes up in a hospital room, next to Stephanie, now publicly revealing her true identity.

They look at each other, silent.

Both are victims of a force pulling the strings, and Halloween night is just the opening shot of the upcoming tragedy.

Aaron recounts: someone wearing a mask identical to his, deliberately causing a misunderstanding that makes him suspected of being the attacker. Meanwhile, Stephanie says: “I took off my mask, but someone else used it to hurt me.” They realize they have something in common – they are both being used, both are being used as pawns in Salem’s power game.

The first clues are revealed: a series of anonymous emails sent to both, containing clips recording the moment Aaron was being followed and Stephanie was revealed. The final sentence of the letter sends shivers down the spine: “Thanks for joining, the second act is on.” Someone is watching them—either the person from the Halloween party, or a larger figure hiding in the shadows.

The episode goes from tense to breathtaking as Aaron and Stephanie decide to team up to investigate. In the final scene, they stand in the middle of Salem Cemetery, moonlight shining on two masks thrown to the ground—one white, one black. Aaron says, “Maybe the only way to survive is to go back to being the masked one.” Stephanie replies, “But this time, we’re the ones running the game.”

The camera pans, the sound of a heartbeat thumping, then stops at the words: “Next week—the mask strikes back.” Salem prepares for a new season of drama—where no one is real, no one is innocent, and before old masks can fall, new ones are put on.