Few previews have ever brought legitimate goosebumps to my flesh. The first teasers for ABC’s newest thriller, The Whispers, did just that with only a few seconds long clip – a little girl rolling a ball to no one… and the ball gets pushed back. Now ABC released a first look 5-minute video that has all the hairs on my arms standing.

Check the video below.

There’s just something about horror involving kids that really messes with you. In the clip, a little girl at a backyard party is off to the side. She’s finding out the “rules” to a new game from her imaginary friend. Turns out the rules involve her climbing up to her treehouse and waiting for mommy to come in and stand on the X. After all, “X marks the spot.” Mom steps and goes straight through, crashing to the ground.

FBI child specialist Claire Bennigan (American Horror Story‘s Lily Rabe) begins her investigation. An adorable little girl named Harper (Abby Ryder Fortson) tells her, “They said grown ups wouldn’t understand.” Why always the pronoun game with these new shows? Who are “they”!? Meanwhile, the investigation spreads to include what appears to other cases involving children being involved in violent acts under the influence of imaginary friends.

This is not just some creepy neighborhood ghost story. This has high-ranking implications. Soon there are meetings with the President of the United States (Gary Hershberger) and other government employees. There are glowing lights, full body suits, and military bases resembling Area 51, that look like something out of The X-Files. Demonic possession? Ghosts? Aliens? What is creating The Whispers? We will find out soon enough. The pilot episode, “X Marks the Spot” debuts on Monday, June 1st on ABC.

Video

Not all imaginary friends”¦ are imaginary. Watch the first 5 minutes of ABC’s newest thriller #TheWhispers now!