NightshiftMike
When the civil war started, people thought it would only last a couple of weeks. But, it took years for the government to surround the rebels and engage in violent firefights everyday. Now, the entire city was devastated by shelling, rockets, and technically everything that's being used to fight the rebels.
On the other hand, civilians left behind were forced to hole up in their houses and hope for the best. Most houses were shelled, and many people were raided by the rebels, taking everything they had.
A group of survivors take shelter in an emptied neighborhood, knowing that it would mean rebels wouldn't even bother raiding it anymore, and that the military would never shell out empty places. The group has to scavenge what they can at night, avoiding any sort of violent action unless the situation calls for it. With none of them having no experience in any combat, it's up to them to adapt to the new, harsh city.