Ep 6. Kidnap in the Killing Fields

In I Shouldn't Be Alive season 1 episode 6, Kidnap in the Killing Fields, viewers are taken to Cambodia where two friends, David and Mark, decide to backpack through the country. Excited to explore a new place, the duo soon finds themselves in the midst of political unrest. The year is 1994, and the Khmer Rouge, known for their brutal genocidal regime of the late 1970s, still lingers in the shadows.

David and Mark, not heeding the advice of others, ambitiously decide to travel into a rural area and visit an indigenous tribe. Once they reach their destination, they are soon discovered by Khmer Rouge militants who capture them. Blindfolded, beaten, and tied up, David and Mark are taken to a remote location where they are imprisoned in a small hut.

Their captors treat them cruelly, subjecting them to daily physical and psychological torture, as they interrogate them about their reason for traveling in the area. David and Mark are accused of being American spies - a notion that they vehemently deny. They soon come to realize that their captors have no intention of releasing them and that they will have to use their wits and strength in order to escape.

The situation becomes even more dire when one of the captors decides to rape David when he tries to fight back to protect Mark. David is left bruised and traumatized, while the guilt of not being able to protect his friend from this horrific experience weighs heavily on Mark.

As time progresses and they continue to be deprived of food and medical attention, David and Mark begin to lose hope. They witness the brutal execution of other prisoners, and it becomes apparent that the Khmer Rouge is not to be trifled with.

Desperate to escape, David and Mark begin to slowly develop a plan. They try to gain their captor's trust by engaging in games and conversations with them. They also begin to pick up some of the local language, hoping that it will come in handy when they try to make their break for freedom.

After several failed attempts, they finally manage to escape from the hut one night when their guard dozes off. It's a harrowing journey through dense jungles and rice paddies, and they have no idea where they are heading. They are pursued relentlessly by their captors, who are determined to catch them.

With sheer willpower, determination, and cunning, David and Mark manage to avoid their captors and make it to the safety of a nearby village. The locals welcome them with open arms and help them get medical attention, food, and shelter. Despite the horrifying experience, David and Mark express gratitude for this life-changing experience and their appreciation for the kindness of the Cambodian people.

Overall, Kidnap in the Killing Fields is a gripping episode that showcases the resilience of the human spirit. David and Mark's ordeal is a testament to the lengths that we will go in order to survive and the incredible bond of friendship that can be forged even in the most trying circumstances. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow the gripping story of these two backpackers and their quest for survival.