Welcome back to Digest, where we dive deep into the heart-pounding, tearjerking, and jaw-dropping moments that keep us glued to our screens. Today, we’re unraveling one of the most gripping storylines to hit Salem in recent memory. The mystery surrounding EJ DiMera’s shooting and the haunting trauma that has left young Rachel Black spiraling into a psychological abyss. Could Dr. Marina Evans’ bold decision to hypnotize Rachel finally unlock the secrets buried deep within her fractured mind? Will the truth about that fateful night come crashing to the surface? Or will it plunge Rachel and those around her into even deeper turmoil?
Rachel Black, the precocious daughter of Kristen DiMera and Brady Black, has long been a bright presence in Salem. But recently, fans have watched with growing concern as Rachel’s once-sparkling personality has dimmed. She’s exhibiting disturbing behavior—violent mood swings, cryptic outbursts, and sleepless nights filled with nightmares. Something happened that night, and Salem is desperate for answers.
The connection to EJ DiMera’s shooting has everyone on edge. EJ, the cunning DiMera patriarch, was found near death in a dark alley with a bullet lodged in his chest. The case has gone cold, leaving more questions than answers. But whispers keep circling back to Rachel. Could a child be linked to such a horrifying crime?
Enter Dr. Marina Evans — Salem’s most trusted psychiatrist and Rachel’s grandmother. Marina knows trauma when she sees it. Rachel isn’t just scared; she’s protecting something. Or someone. Marina’s bold and controversial plan? Hypnosis. A delicate, dangerous procedure to guide Rachel into unlocking her repressed memories.
In a raw and tense family meeting, Marina explained her decision to Kristen and Brady. She warned them: Rachel’s mind has locked away something traumatic. But without intervention, her mental state could deteriorate beyond repair. The clock is ticking.
Hypnosis is risky — especially for a child — but the stakes are too high to ignore. If it works, Rachel may uncover the truth about what happened to EJ. If it fails, her psyche might shatter.
The signs are there. Rachel has spoken of Johnny DiMera in strange, inconsistent ways. In one session, she described Johnny with a gun. In another, she claimed EJ was reaching for the weapon. Nothing quite fits — until Rachel, in a trembling whisper, remembers holding the gun herself. 
A chilling image emerges. Rachel, in a moment of fear and confusion, holding a loaded firearm. EJ, desperate, lunges toward her. A shout. A shot. Then — silence. EJ crumples to the ground. The trauma of that moment has shattered Rachel’s reality.
But the twist doesn’t stop there. Rachel didn’t bring the gun. It was left unsecured by Johnny. Rachel stumbled upon it at the DiMera mansion. The implications are staggering. Johnny’s carelessness may have triggered this entire chain of events.
The hypnosis session, described as one of the most emotional scenes of the year, reveals even more. Rachel didn’t mean to shoot EJ. In fact, her hands trembled so violently, she almost dropped the weapon. But in the heat of a chaotic confrontation — with an unidentified figure in the background — the trigger was pulled. Whether intentional or not, Rachel fired the gun.
After the shooting, Rachel panicked. She hid the weapon in a flower pot near the alley. A detail only she could know — and now, it’s been confirmed.
The fallout begins immediately. Marina must decide how much to tell Kristen and Brady. The revelation devastates them. Kristen blames Johnny, while Brady blames himself. And Johnny — confronted by the horror his negligence caused — may never recover.
As for Rachel, her journey is far from over. The hypnosis helped, but now she must face what she’s done. Marina recommends intensive therapy, and perhaps a change in guardianship, to help Rachel find peace. But in Salem, healing never comes easy.
Meanwhile, the DiMera family fractures under the weight of the truth. Can they protect Rachel from the legal system? From the press? From themselves?
And then — just when things seem to settle — another twist: security footage surfaces. A blurry figure — not Johnny, not Rachel — was also at the scene. Who is this mystery person? And were they pulling the strings behind this entire tragedy?
As Salem reels from this bombshell, one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same.
🧠Will Rachel be held accountable, or protected at all costs? ⚖️ Will Johnny face consequences for leaving the gun out? And most importantly… who was really behind the attempt on EJ’s life?
Stay tuned, because the hypnosis opened the door — and what lies beyond may change Salem forever. 🌀🔥
