The hyena

"The Hyena" by Robert E. Howard is a short story that plunges into the heart of Africa, depicting a newly arrived young man named Steve caught in a dangerous game of power and mystique. He is immediately captivated by the enigmatic fetish-man, Senecoza, a man of immense influence among the local people which stirs conflicting emotions of jealousy, fear, and a strange respect within Steve. This tension escalates with the arrival of Ellen, a woman who captures Steve's attention, igniting a fierce rivalry with Senecoza. As Steve becomes entangled in the sinister legends surrounding Senecoza, the narrative builds to a dramatic confrontation when Ellen is taken, forcing Steve to face not only the powerful fetish-man but also the primal terrors embodied by the hyenas that prowl the landscape, resulting in a climax that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare, leaving readers questioning the true nature of fear and power.