A light rain began to fall onto area 4 of the quarantine zone as Joel walked up the worn stone steps to their house, staring at the door its black paint was shabby and scratched the silver doorknocker tarnished with age. As he turned the key a loud click echoed and the door swung open on its rusted hinges

"After you" said Joel as he gestured Sarah to go in first

Sarah entered first stepping over the threshold and into total darkness of the hall she could smell damp, dust and a sweetish, rotting smell; the place had the feeling of a derelict building

"This is it" asked Sarah

"I guess it will grow on you" replied Joel stepping in from the rain

"Let's see if we can get some light in here" Tommy mumbled as he began searching for a switch

"It's gotta be here somewhere"

"Here it is" said Sarah as she flicked the switch causing the light to cast a flickering light over the peeling wallpaper and carpet of the long, gloomy hallway

"I guess it could be worse" mentioned Tommy

"Well its better than nothing now let's get settled in before we have to go the meeting area for work" replied Joel in a more serious tone

The group began searching their new home the kitchen was located below the hallway accessed by a set of stair at the end of the hall It was scarcely less gloomy than the hall above, a cavernous room with rough stone walls most of the light came from lights hanging over head dangling from the ceiling, heavy pots and pans hung from the dark ceiling and in the centre a long wooden table stood surrounded by a few chairs.

"Well this is ah what's the word"

"Homely" Sarah said cutting off Joel mid sentence

"Yeah that word comes to mind" replied Joel

Upon searching the rest of the house they found it to be much the same the first floor contained a bedroom and bathroom as well as a lounge whilst the second floor featured another couple bedrooms which had gloomy high-ceilings with a blank stretch of canvas in an ornate picture frame was all that relieved the bareness of the peeling walls.

After some time of acclimatising to their new house it was time for Joel and Tommy to go to the meeting area and Sarah to attend whatever form of school that the quarantine zone offered.

"Right I guess it's time you went off to school now" said Joel with a smirk

Sarah grabbed a few loose items lying around the house including some scrap paper and a pen

"Shall we go then" asked Joel

"You go on ahead I will meet you at the meeting area" replied Tommy

"Okay" Joel replied back leading Sarah out the door and closing it behind them

"Right baby girl you looking forward to school" Joel asked in a calm manner

"I guess so" Sarah replied not quite sure what to expect

The streets had become busier as time passed by people all making their daily commute as if all was normal perhaps the quarantine zone was a haven after all.

After getting lost in the maze of streets they eventually found the school

"Alright now you go have fun now" Joel said as he gave Sarah a big hug

"Dad you're embarrassing me" Sarah responded

"Okay okay" Joel said as he took a step back before rustling her hair and walking off in the direction of the meeting area.

Joel could only hope after all that had happened that Sarah could return to a normal life and grow up safely as much as any parent could hope for. The rain of earlier passed by and the sun began to shine through the clouds as Joel came up upon an open field where a group of people had gathered including Tommy.

"Joel over here" Tommy shouted waving Joel down

"Alright what's going on here then" Joel asked

"The contractor over there is getting ready to speak" Tommy replied as he pointed over to a young man who was wearing a suit and tie as well as safety hat.

"Alright quiet down now quiet down over at administration they tell me that all of you are either carpenters, electricians, plumbers or construction workers you will be working on building new buildings both for military and residential use, Now due to a new policy change from now on you must earn your ration cards"

This was met with mixed views from the crowd but fundamentally it was a justified approach to rations

"The pay for the jobs offered here is enough to feed yourself and provide accommodation within the area now if you are interested please sign this piece of paper with your full name and ID number thank you" the man said before pinning the paper to a notice board.

To be able to keep the house Joel and Tommy were given and in order to eat they would need to sign up which they did and a few moments after were assigned into groups with others in their speciality and given work repairing several buildings with structural damage in the area.

Several hours later Joel and Tommy had ended their work day and found their way towards the market. Stalls lined either side of the street with people selling all sorts of wares Joel bought some food with his ration cards and some soda as a treat for Sarah he even picked up some beer that had been on sale made by one of the stall owners and then preceded home.

A small while later whilst relaxing in the lounge Joel hears the front door slam shut and peered out of the doorway beer in hand where he saw Sarah bounding up the stairs towards him.

"So how was school today" asked Joel as he sat up in his chair

"It was great I signed up to the Soccer team and the teacher says I'm doing well" Sarah happily replied

"I thought as much. So kiddo I picked up some food and guess what" said Joel

"What is it" Sarah replied playfully

"I managed to pick some of that soda you like at the market today" replied Joel

"What no way" Sarah said in a surprising manner as Joel placed a can on the table

Tommy then entered the room with a newspaper and made his way around the chair Joel was sitting pulling up a stool to sit on which instantly broke as it was sat upon leaving Tommy in a heap on the floor, Sarah let out a giggle and even Joel couldn't help but smile

"Oh god dammit" Tommy exclaimed

"Okay you can stop giggling away there" said Joel as he himself couldn't stop smiling

Sarah rummaged through her bag grabbing her music player and then proceeded to stick her tongue out at Joel to which he replied in kind. Sarah chuckled and playfully punched Joel's arm before grabbing the soda can and heading to her room.

Tommy collected himself thinking to himself that this house was trying to kill him whilst Joel lay back in his chair thinking to himself now this was a life he could get use too, never a dull moment.