Panic

Panic is a gameplay mechanic in Midnight Evil.

Gameplay Mechanic
Panic occurs when the player looks up and down between the Urkling's Book and William's Bedroom too frequently. The screen will be surrounded by a red vignette, a loud heartbeat will play, and the center of the player's vision will become blurry. This is the only status effect in the game and only lasts for a couple of seconds before the player's vision returns to normal.

While the player is panicked it is not possible to read the next line in the book, meaning that progress towards the end of the current chapter is halted. The player is also unable to repel any Urklings that are present in the room as the crosshair does not function while the screen is blurred. This also leaves the player open to attack and is intended as a punishment for uncontrolled spamming of the book.

Achievements
While the player is panicked there is a random chance for a totem-like creature to appear, which is Spencer Coleman. This creature does not attack the player and vanishes once the panic ends, however it is linked to achievements.