Michonne, Daryl and more fight against The Whisperers in new Walking Dead clip

The Walking Dead’s opening minutes for season 9’s return preview dark times ahead.

The Walking Dead will return in a few short weeks, and if the opening minutes for the midseason return are any indication, season 9 is going to be pure horror.

One may ask isn’t The Walking Dead already horror — given the undead roaming about and all. Yes, it is, sort of. But as hardcore fans know, the show often shifts between fear and destruction caused by walkers and by people. The last several seasons have focused on the issues between communities in a post-apocalyptic, walker-infested world. Following the defeat of Negan and the Saviors, and the unfortunate loss of Rick Grimes, a time jump in the show previews a society that is trying its best to grow and thrive.

Sure, there’s still underlying tension and drama amid different groups. But for the most part, everyone has learned to deal with the “monsters” roaming just outside their walls. Season 9 is about to change all of that.

Just watch the opening minutes of The Walking Dead‘s season 9 return below to see what we mean.

The opening minutes begin with Jesus, slain and on the ground, and his friends surrounding him as walkers approach. In the midseason finale, Daryl had just unmasked a walker only to learn a human being had used walker skin as a disguise.

Daryl and the rest don’t know this yet, but they are surrounded by not just walkers but The Whisperers — people who roam amongst walkers, using them as cover so they can approach and take out enemies by surprise.

The Whisperers edge closer and Michonne is nearly taken out by one before Yumiko’s arrow saves her. She and the rest knock out a few more walkers before exiting the graveyard, and Daryl attempts to lock the gate before running away. Yet, as walkers smash against the gate, one hand creeps down to unlock it.

Season 9 will return with an episode titled “Adaptation” and the official synopsis reads:

"The recent loss of one of their own drives the communities to band together. New leaders rise when a disturbing and dangerous threat is unmasked. An escaped captive revisits his past."

This definitely previews The Whisperers revelation amongst the communities. How they will handle this new enemy is up in the air. As for the escaped captive, we already know from the midseason finale Negan is on the loose. What he chooses to do with his freedom is also a mystery, but this being Negan, we know it won’t be good.

The Walking Dead returns February 10 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.