They never found out how Rudy had died, and because no one knew Mark had been there, he didn't have to explain.
The official story was that Rudy had joined a gang of vandals who had snuck into the cemetery. There was a fight, and Rudy was stabbed. They coyote must have gotten to him. Another body was found nearby, quickly identified as the remains of Madame Voracia Thornhill. No one could venture a guess as to how or why the body had been left at the cemetery fence.
Their mom was heart broken over Rudy's death. But she'd be okay. She confessed to Mark that she's always suspected that Rudy would meet up with an unhappy end. Rudy had always said he wanted out of here forever. In a way, Mark figured, Rudy had gotten exactly what he had asked for.
"You gotta be strong to make it in this world", Rudy had always told him. But you also had to be smart. Mark couldn't feel guilty that he was the one who'd survived. He had made it out alive and had even healed from a serious werewolf bite without anyone ever knowing.
Mark never got his Sport-Kwest Trainer, but he found he didn't need them. That night in the cemetery had done wonders for his self confidence.
If Mark could outrun a charging werewolf, surely he could handle a full-court press.
Besides, he'd checked next year's calender. Four of the games would be played during a full moon.
Just try to stop him then.
