Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not)

This chapter introduces Tasio, the old man who was looking for his wife’s skull in Chapter 12. Tasio is referred to as a philosopher by some, and a madman by most. He speaks to the deputy mayor Don Filipo and his wife Teodora Viña at their house. They discuss Ibarra’s visit to the cemetery, and it is revealed that Tasio was one of six people who contested the exhumation of Don Rafael. A storm rages outside, and Tasio discusses the history of purgatory as a concept—and the way it has been corrupted by the church. He departs into the storm and yells at God while lightning flashes.

Two sextons (church employees who oversee the property), 10-year-old Basilio and his 7-year-old brother Crispin, ring a tower bell as the storm rages. The two are terrified and wish they were at home with their mother. Crispin tells Basilio that the head sexton, Father Salví, had falsely accused him of stealing. Father Salví appears, yells at the boys, and orders them to stay in the tower until 10pm. When Crispin points out that 10pm is past curfew, the man drags him downstairs and Basilio is left alone in the tower. After a brief interval, Basilio decides to follow his brother. When he exits the church and goes outside, the storm has relented. He hears voices, and then, two gunshots.

This chapter introduces Basilio and Crispin’s mother, Sisa. Her life is defined by struggle and poverty. Her husband is distant and provides little relief to her; he is a gambler who often wastes the family's meager income. When the man does come around, it is usually for the purpose of coercing money from his family. Sisa has cooked her sons’ favorite meals and awaits their return. As night encroaches, Sisa becomes worried. She experiences a vision of Crispin sitting in front of the fire in her room. Just then, Basilio appears without Crispin.

Basilio arrives, his forehead bleeding. He tells Sisa that he was grazed by a bullet while running away from the church; he also recounts Crispin’s story of being falsely accused of being a thief. Basilio falls asleep and experiences nightmares; when he wakes, he tells Sisa that he does not want to be a sexton anymore. His dreams of the future are far more grandiose. Basilio goes back to sleep, but Sisa remains awake.

This chapter opens with Father Salví being angry about something, and then proceeds to a discussion between nuns. They discuss the economy of salvation and redemption, and how each one negotiates. Sisa appears in search of Crispin. A rude sexton tells her that she is not allowed to speak to a priest. When she asks the sexton about Crispin, he tells her that he left the church the night before and insinuates that he is on the run from authorities.