Salem has seen its fair share of deception and heartbreak, but nothing could prepare viewers for the chaos unleashed by young Rachel Black. The daughter of Brady Black and Kristen DiMera

has taken her manipulative streak to terrifying new heights, leaving the entire town reeling in shock. In one of the most explosive storylines in Days of Our Lives history,

Rachel’s twisted schemes spiral dangerously out of control — resulting in near-tragedy, shattered families, and a furious father pushed to his breaking point.

Rachel’s Descent Into Darkness

Rachel has always been a complicated child, torn between her parents’ conflicting moral compasses and the lingering influence of her mother’s ruthless behavior. But recently, her actions have crossed a line that no one — not even Kristen herself — could have anticipated. Fueled by jealousy and resentment, Rachel sets her sights on Cat, a woman she has irrationally branded as her enemy.

Instead of harmless mischief, Rachel turns her malice into a deadly game. She cunningly manipulates Thomas DiMera, the young and impressionable son of Chad DiMera, into believing that Cat is a villain who deserves to be punished. Through calculated deceit, Rachel feeds Thomas a steady stream of lies — twisting his emotions, playing on his need for approval, and convincing him that Cat’s downfall is a noble cause.

What starts as childish scheming quickly evolves into something far more sinister. Rachel persuades Thomas to take part in what she disguises as a “Halloween prank,” but in truth, it’s an act of aggression meticulously planned to harm Cat.

A Prank Turns Deadly

The so-called prank involves a pumpkin thrower — an innocent prop turned weapon in Rachel’s hands. Under her direction, Thomas launches a massive pumpkin straight toward Cat with shocking force. What was supposed to be playful fun becomes a near-fatal attack as Cat barely dodges the projectile. The impact could have easily caused serious injury, and the moment leaves Salem residents horrified.

Before anyone can process what’s happened, the chaos escalates. A mysterious figure dressed as a mad scientist — eerily resembling Jeremy Horton’s costume — emerges from the shadows, brandishing a knife. Panic erupts. What began as childish mischief turns into a full-blown nightmare as Cat finds herself caught between flying projectiles and a potential assailant.

In a heroic act, Alex Kiriakis rushes to protect Cat, shoving her out of harm’s way and into Chad’s arms. His quick thinking saves her from the knife attack, but confusion reigns when the masked figure vanishes into the night. With no clear suspect in sight, Jeremy becomes the prime suspect, setting the stage for more misunderstanding and heartbreak.

The Fallout Begins

It doesn’t take long for the horrifying truth to surface — that Rachel masterminded the entire ordeal and used Thomas as her pawn. The revelation sends shockwaves through Salem, especially for Chad, who is devastated to learn his son was manipulated into committing such a dangerous act.

Chad’s confrontation with Thomas is heartbreaking. Torn between anger and concern, he reprimands his son while grappling with guilt over not recognizing Rachel’s influence sooner. Thomas, however, lashes out in pain and confusion. Fueled by Rachel’s manipulations, he accuses Chad of caring more about Cat than about his own child — a moment that underscores just how deeply Rachel’s poison has taken hold.

A Heart-Stopping Tragedy

The emotional confrontation takes a horrifying turn when Thomas, overcome with anger and humiliation, runs out into the street. In a split second of reckless despair, he bolts into traffic — just as a speeding car approaches. The screech of tires, the blare of a horn, and the sickening thud that follows leave onlookers frozen in horror.

Jennifer Horton-Deveraux lets out a bloodcurdling scream as she watches her grandson struck by the vehicle. Chad, horrified beyond measure, races to his son’s side, his world collapsing in an instant. What began as a childish scheme has now resulted in real, irreversible consequences.

Brady’s Discovery and Fury

Meanwhile, Brady uncovers the devastating truth: his daughter’s manipulation of Thomas directly set off the chain of events that nearly cost the boy his life. The revelation shatters him. Known for his fierce love of family, Brady’s fury is unlike anything Salem has ever seen.

This isn’t just parental disappointment — it’s a full-blown eruption of rage and anguish. Brady can barely process the fact that his daughter orchestrated such cruelty, let alone that her actions led to a child being critically injured. He grounds Rachel immediately, but the punishment feels hollow. Nothing can undo what she has done, and the guilt gnaws at him.

But the horror doesn’t stop there. Brady’s world spirals further when he learns another jaw-dropping truth — Rachel is the one who shot EJ DiMera.

The Ultimate Betrayal

As if manipulating another child weren’t enough, it’s revealed that Rachel pulled the trigger in the shooting that left her uncle EJ wounded. In a shocking twist, Kristen DiMera, ever the self-sacrificing mother, steps forward and takes full responsibility for the crime to shield Rachel from prosecution.

For Brady, this revelation is almost too much to bear. He’s faced with an unbearable reality: his daughter is a manipulator, an instigator, and now, a potential criminal — and her mother is willing to go to prison to protect her. The result is a perfect storm of fury, guilt, and heartbreak.

Brady’s confrontation with Kristen is explosive. He condemns her decision, accusing her of enabling Rachel’s behavior and dooming her to a life without accountability. Kristen, ever defiant, insists she’s only doing what any mother would do — protecting her child. The two are locked in a devastating emotional battle, torn between love and disgust, fear and loyalty.

The Aftermath

Rachel’s schemes have left nothing but destruction in their wake. She’s turned Thomas against his father, caused near-fatal injuries, framed an innocent man, and reignited old family feuds that could tear Salem apart. Her actions have forced Brady to question everything — his parenting, his values, and his very ability to love a child who seems to mirror all the worst parts of her mother.

The town, too, is reeling. The DiMera and Black families stand divided, while Salem whispers about the young girl who caused so much chaos. The psychological toll on Brady is immense; he’s left wondering whether there’s any redemption for Rachel or whether she’s destined to follow the dark path set by Kristen.

Looking Ahead

As Days of Our Lives continues to unfold this riveting storyline, the tension promises to skyrocket. Will Brady find a way to save his daughter from herself? Can Kristen’s sacrifice bring peace, or will it only fuel more conflict? And most importantly — will Thomas survive, and if he does, what kind of scars, physical and emotional, will remain?

Rachel Black’s descent into manipulation and malice marks one of the most shocking turns in recent Days of Our Lives history. Her actions have shattered friendships, endangered lives, and forced every parent in Salem to face a chilling question: how far would you go to protect your child — even from themselves?