“Speech Sounds” takes place in the aftermath of a global pandemic that left most of its survivors without the ability to speak, read, or write. A woman named Rye is traveling through Los Angeles by bus when a fight breaks out between passengers. Rye observes the violence and tries to stay out of its way, exiting the bus when the driver slams on the brakes to disrupt the fight. She waits on the sidewalk and plans to get back on board once the fight has ended, noting that public transportation has become rare and unreliable.
Moments later, a man arrives in a car, which is unusual, since cars are scarce due to a shortage of fuel and capable mechanics. The man communicates with Rye through gestures, discussing the fight on the bus. She is surprised to see him wearing a police uniform, since governments and institutions have all dissolved. The man throws a gas bomb onto the bus to disrupt the fight, forcing all of the passengers out onto the sidewalk. The bus driver and some of the passengers gesture angrily at the man, but he stands back and refuses to engage—behavior that Rye notes is typical of those less affected by the disease. Through more hand gestures, the man invites her to leave with him, and Rye considers her loneliness: she has lost all her immediate family to the illness, leaving her so alone and sad that she’s near suicide. She decides to leave with the man.
Once in the car, the man hands Rye a black rock on a necklace to introduce himself. She perceives this as an indication that his name is Obsidian. She introduces herself with a pin shaped like wheat. Obsidian pulls out a map to ask Rye where she is going, and he reveals that he is able to read and write, a dangerous secret to share in a world marked by jealousy and rage towards less impaired people. Overcoming a brief moment of envy and fury, Rye confides in Obsidian that she is still able to speak and understand spoken language. They have sex and Rye finds solace in their closeness. She asks Obsidian to come home with her and he agrees, so they begin driving back towards Los Angeles.
Just as Rye is beginning to settle in for the drive, Obsidian slams on the brakes. A woman runs across the street in front of them, followed by a man with a knife. Obsidian jumps out of the car to intervene and Rye follows. The woman and the man stab each other, both collapsing. Rye attempts to help the woman, but he realizes she is dead. As Obsidian bends over to see if the man has died, the man grabs the gun from Obsidian’s holster and shoots Obsidian in the head. Rye shoots the man and is left with the three corpses.
As Rye considers what to do with the bodies and mourns the sudden loss of Obsidian, two children run out into the street towards the woman’s corpse, whom Rye realizes must have been their mother. Rye begins to walk away from them before remembering that she should bury Obsidian. She decides to bury the woman as well. As she grabs her corpse, one of the children shouts out in protest and the other tells the first to be quiet. Realizing the children can speak, Rye is hopeful that the disease has run its course. She decides to take them home with her to protect and teach them. She introduces herself to them, telling them that they do not have to be afraid of her. Suddenly, Rye feels that she has a reason to live, and she puts them in the car to bring them home.
