December 18th in Salem wasn’t just a lighthearted adult drama; it turned into a heart-wrenching ordeal as children were dragged into the storm. Jennifer Horton finally had to do what she hated most: tell Thomas the truth.

Chad wasn’t home. Chad was missing.

The moment Jennifer spoke, you could see an entire house collapsing in silence.

Thomas initially tried to act childishly stubborn, pressing her with questions, trying to prove he wasn’t afraid.

But the more Jennifer explained, the more his face changed. When he realized it wasn’t just about his dad being busy with work or sulking and running away, Thomas completely broke down.

Thomas’s meltdown wasn’t just crying. It was a mix of panic and self-reproach, the kind a child does when they blame themselves. Before that, Thomas might have been angry with Chad, saying harsh things, acting like he didn’t need his dad. But it was precisely because of those moments, when Chad actually disappeared, that Thomas was hit even harder.

Emmerdale and Corrie played the disappearance in an action-packed way, while Days played it psychologically: showing you a child being pulled out of their comfort zone with just a single announcement. Jennifer had to hold Thomas while maintaining a calm voice to prevent him from panicking further, even though Jennifer herself was on the verge of breaking down. Because Jennifer understood that Chad’s disappearance in Salem was never a minor matter. It was often the gateway to a conspiracy.