As winter tightens its grip on Salem, an even darker storm is brewing beneath the surface—one fueled by secrets, betrayals, and chilling revelations. The week of December 15th, 2025 promises to be one of the most explosive and emotionally charged stretches in recent Days of Our Lives history, plunging beloved characters into danger while exposing long-buried truths that threaten to tear families apart.

From a kidnapping crisis spiraling out of control, to a chemical attack that leaves two young lovers gasping for air, to the shocking return of a powerful DiMera tied to the town’s greatest villain—Salem is heading straight into a week where no one is safe, no alliance is solid, and no secret stays buried for long.

Kidnapping Nightmare Intensifies: EJ DiMera Becomes the Latest Victim

For weeks, Salem has been rattled by a chilling kidnapping spree, each disappearance more disturbing than the last. Families live in constant fear, and every unanswered call or unexpected silence sends hearts racing. But this week, the case hits a terrifying new peak when EJ DiMera—one of the town’s most powerful and enigmatic forces—joins the list of missing.

His shocking discovery comes in the ancient Salem catacombs, a place steeped in generations of danger and DiMera history. Tony, Theo, Kristen, and Chad embark on a desperate search, expecting clues—yet what they find shakes them to their core.

There, among the other captives, lies EJ.

The moment is visceral and emotionally shattering. Gasps echo through the underground chamber as each family member struggles to comprehend what they’re seeing. EJ—controlled, calculating, always one step ahead—is now tied, beaten, and helpless.

But the shock quickly turns into something darker: doubt.

Victim… or Orchestrator?

As the DiMeras process the horror before them, an immediate question divides them:

Is EJ truly a victim—or is he staging this entire kidnapping operation himself?

His complicated past, shadowy dealings, and morally gray nature fuel suspicion. Old conversations with Abe Carver resurface, triggering uneasy memories about EJ’s ambitions, grudges, and secret maneuvers.

Could EJ be manipulating his own family?
Is he masterminding the abductions for a hidden agenda?
Or is he genuinely fighting for his life underground?

This unanswered question casts a long, foreboding shadow over the DiMeras—and over the entire week.

A Romantic Moment Turns into Terror: Alex and Stephanie’s Deadly Discovery

Across town, another storyline turns dangerously intimate. Stephanie Johnson, seeking peace and privacy, checks into a quiet suburban hotel. But unbeknownst to her, she is being watched.

A man dressed entirely in black—gloved, silent, and predatory—observes her from the shadows. His presence signals danger long before Stephanie realizes she’s being targeted.

Then Alex Kiriakis unexpectedly arrives, altering the tone of the moment entirely. A spark of warmth flickers between them—until fate delivers a chilling interruption.

The Letter That Changes Everything

Stephanie receives a mysterious letter.
Alex, curious and concerned, opens it.

A cloud of white powder erupts into the room, coating the air with something deadly and unknown. Stephanie and Alex choke, stumble, and panic as the substance fills their lungs and vision. Their romantic reunion transforms into a fight for survival.

Is this attack connected to the kidnappings?
Is it a warning?
Or the beginning of a new threat?

As the powder settles, one thing becomes horrifyingly clear: someone wants Stephanie silenced—and Alex may have become collateral damage.

The Return of Peter Blake: A DiMera Wildcard Enters the Game

Just when the stakes seem impossibly high, Salem is rocked by a new arrival—one guaranteed to shift the balance of power.

Peter Blake, the biological brother of Kristen DiMera and the adopted son of the legendary Stefano, returns to Salem on December 19th.

His reappearance is more than a nostalgic callback—it’s a seismic event.

Peter carries the weight of Stefano’s legacy, the scars of past betrayals, and knowledge that could unravel everything happening in the shadows. With the DiMera family under attack, his return couldn’t come at a more charged moment.

Is Peter the Key to the Kidnapping Mystery?

Rumors swirl that Peter might play a central role in the current crisis.
Is he arriving as:

• a victim,
• a savior,
• or a new threat aligned with forces working against the DiMeras?

Old alliances will be tested. New suspicions will rise. And Kristen’s world—already cracking under the pressure of missing family members—may shatter entirely when she comes face-to-face with the brother she thought she’d left in the past.

Leo Stark vs. Gwen Rizczech: A Dangerous Confrontation Brewing

Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of Salem, tension simmers between two of the town’s most unpredictable schemers.

Leo Stark, sharp-tongued and always one step ahead, has sensed a shift in Gwen’s behavior. Her secretive connection to EJ DiMera is too suspicious to ignore—and Leo wants answers.

His confrontation promises fireworks, manipulation, and truths that neither may be prepared to face.

Is Gwen Protecting EJ… or Helping Destroy Him?

Her alliance with EJ could expose hidden motives:

• Is she covering for him?
• Is he blackmailing her?
• Or is she working with him for reasons even she can’t fully justify?

Leo’s pursuit of the truth could blow the kidnapping storyline wide open.

Jada and Rafe: A High-Stakes Investigation Rekindles Old Sparks

As chaos unfolds across Salem, Jada Hunter continues her relentless pursuit of the kidnappers. The deeper she goes, the more she realizes she can’t solve this alone.

This forces her to turn to Rafe Hernandez, the man with whom she shares a turbulent romantic past.

The investigation pulls them together professionally—but emotional tension rises quickly. Long-suppressed feelings resurface, blending urgency, fear, and unresolved love into a potent mix.

Will the Case Reignite Their Romance?

As they work side-by-side to locate the missing DiMeras, the line between duty and desire begins to blur. Salem may gain a reunited investigative duo—but at a cost to both their hearts.

The Week Ahead: Salem’s Future Hangs by a Thread

With kidnappings unsolved, chemical threats rising, family loyalties shifting, and a DiMera wild card returning, Salem is on the brink of yet another explosive chapter.

Every secret revealed this week triggers a ripple effect.
Every alliance shaken fractures something deeper.
Every character is pushed to their emotional limit.

And as Christmas approaches, Salem’s darkest winter in years has only just begun.