Ordinary war eras might not be so difficult for them, and sometimes, it is mainly about having enough determination and being without ambition to safely get by, but clearly, this time was completely different. They had already deeply entangled themselves, although it was not their will, even being entirely passive, but since it had already happened, they needed to find real solutions instead of merely escaping.
Such blind evasion had already borne them severe consequences. If they had thought about how to solve it from the beginning when they were being bullied, and had mustered the courage to collaborate with others, perhaps many things would not have turned into the current situation. This was the price they had to pay, and indeed they had paid a more dreadful one.
