David in his insanity and rage remember that killing her is the very last thing he wants so he bolts from the room to protect her. His instinct is to run into the night.

The Other Guy has some Walkers prepare “The Wheel”, a large flat, but round wooden table top, the Walkers reveal metal spikes and Laurel is escorted to it to cleanse herself as David runs free.

After her bath, she is given a sparse meal and then she is carried without resistance to “The Wheel”. David, while running with a pack of Walkers sees a mannequin that reminds him of Laurel. He remembers everything they shared over the past year and realizes that somewhere along the way he fell in love with her, and that he has to help her.

He sprints back to the Other Guy’s domicile and finds Laurel nailed to The Wheel. (similar to a crucifixion) The Other Guy says that Laurel will die and there’s nothing David can do to stop it, he can only affect how and why she dies. So he need not bother trying to save her, reminding him that he came for his soul, not for her.