Buckle up, Days of Our Lives fans — Salem’s about to be rocked to its core once again. This time, the heartache centers around two of its youngest residents, Thomas DiMera and Rachel Black, whose friendship takes a dark, devastating turn that may leave one fighting for his life. What began as a fragile bond between two children haunted by loss spirals into one of the most shocking accidents in recent DOOL history.

For longtime viewers, Thomas DiMera has always symbolized hope amidst heartbreak. The son of Chad DiMera and the late Abigail Deveraux, Thomas inherited his mother’s compassion and his father’s quiet intensity. Raised under the heavy shadow of tragedy — from Abigail’s murder to the endless DiMera power struggles — the young boy has grown up far too quickly. His laughter once echoed through the Horton cabin, a rare sound of innocence amid the chaos of Salem. But innocence never lasts long in this town.

Meanwhile, Rachel Black’s life has been an equally tragic rollercoaster. The daughter of Brady Black and Kristen DiMera, she’s lived through trauma most adults couldn’t bear. Her grandfather John’s mysterious death, her mother’s imprisonment, and years of watching her family self-destruct have hardened her once-bright soul. Rachel has become a storm of grief, resentment, and misplaced loyalty — and now, that storm is about to unleash its fury.

As we fast-forward to late October 2025, Chad has cautiously opened his heart to a new love interest — the kind-hearted nurse Cat Green. She’s a beacon of normalcy for Chad and his children, someone who offers warmth in the long shadow Abigail left behind. Yet, to Rachel, Cat represents everything wrong with love — the root of her pain, the symbol of everything that destroys families. And when Rachel’s fragile mental state begins to fracture further, Thomas unknowingly becomes caught in her emotional crossfire.

At first, Rachel’s manipulations seem harmless — childish even. She whispers poison into Thomas’s ear, convincing him that his mother would hate to see his father with another woman. Small acts of rebellion follow: a ruined family dinner, a misplaced phone, a sulking protest against Cat. But beneath the surface, Rachel’s grief morphs into something darker. Alone in her room, surrounded by mementos of her late grandfather and her absent mother, she begins to spiral — talking to herself, smashing things, and losing her grip on reality.

Thomas, confused and desperate for connection, follows Rachel down this dangerous path. She feeds his pain, reminding him that his family is cursed and that happiness only brings heartbreak. The friendship turns toxic, and soon they’re sneaking out together, whispering secrets in the fog-drenched parks and tunnels beneath Salem — the same tunnels that have hidden generations of DiMera schemes.

But the breaking point comes on a stormy Salem night — because of course, when tragedy strikes, the skies must open. Chad discovers that Thomas is missing and rushes out into the rain, heart pounding with dread. Meanwhile, Rachel and Thomas meet near the river bluffs, their emotions spiraling out of control. Rachel is inconsolable, trembling, and erratic. She insists that they have to run away together — away from everyone who’s ever hurt them.

What happens next will haunt Salem forever.

As lightning splits the sky, Rachel pulls something from her coat — a small gun she stole from Brady’s locked drawer, intending only to scare away anyone who might stop them. But grief and panic don’t mix well. When Thomas tries to calm her down, stepping closer, Rachel jerks the gun up, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

“Don’t come near me! Everyone leaves me!” she screams through her tears. Thomas takes another cautious step forward — and then it happens.

The shot echoes across the cliffs like thunder.

Thomas falls.

For a split second, the world freezes. Rachel stares at the gun in horror, her body trembling as the weight of what she’s done crashes down. She drops to her knees beside Thomas, whose small frame lies motionless against the wet grass. The scene is harrowing — reminiscent of Days’ most unforgettable moments of loss and redemption.

Chad and Brady arrive seconds later, drawn by the sound of the gunshot. What they find is the stuff of Salem nightmares — Chad screaming his son’s name as he lifts the boy into his arms, Brady trying to pull a hysterical Rachel away as she sobs, “I didn’t mean to! I didn’t mean to!”

At Salem University Hospital, Dr. Kayla Brady fights to save Thomas’s life. The diagnosis is grim: the bullet lodged dangerously close to his heart, massive internal bleeding, and a slim chance of survival. Chad sits at his son’s bedside, clutching his hand, whispering, “Don’t leave me like your mother did.” The monitors beep steadily, each sound a reminder of the boy’s fragile grip on life.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s world implodes. She’s taken into custody, trembling and inconsolable, her face pale as she repeats that it was an accident. Brady is devastated, torn between protecting his daughter and facing the horrific truth. And somewhere, deep in Statesville Prison, Kristen DiMera gets the news — and in true Kristen fashion, she vows revenge against anyone who “drove” her daughter to this breaking point.

The fallout promises to be explosive. The DiMeras and the Blacks are set to clash in court, in hospitals, and in hearts. Salem will divide itself once again — some blaming Rachel, others pointing fingers at Brady or Chad. Cat, who tried to bring healing, will find herself at the center of the chaos, guilt-ridden and fearful she’ll lose Chad just as she started to love him.

And the million-dollar question remains: will Thomas survive?

If the rumors are true, Days of Our Lives may be setting up one of its most emotional arcs yet. Thomas’s potential coma could bring Abigail’s spirit back in dream sequences, guiding her son toward the light. Rachel’s fate could swing between redemption and a full-blown villain origin story — much like her mother’s before her.

Either way, this storyline promises heartbreak, redemption, and the kind of raw emotional power that Days delivers best. Fans can expect gripping courtroom drama, hospital bedside tears, and a shattered Salem struggling to pick up the pieces.

Could this tragedy ultimately bring the DiMera and Black families closer — or tear them apart forever? And if Thomas wakes up, will he forgive Rachel… or will Salem’s next generation inherit the cycle of vengeance that has defined their parents for decades?

Grab your tissues, Days fans — this one’s going to hurt.

Because when Rachel Black lost control… she didn’t just pull a trigger. She changed Salem forever.