Fated but Forsaken

Aria's pov

Ten years ago

"Elena." I called out to my giggling sister.

"Don't go too close to the water." I told her as I played with some ducks.

"I know how to swim, I'm a big girl." The seven year old retorted, crossing her hands over her chest.

"Just be careful, we have a few more minutes before dad sends some guards to come looking for us." I reminded her before I returned my attention to the ducks.

I heard the water splay and Elena squeal and I turned, frantically searching for her in the unsettled water.

"Elena?" I slowly rose and approached the water when I couldn't see her admist the waves.

"Aria, over here. I'm swimming." Elena squealed in delight and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Don't wander off too far Elena, be careful." I called out to her but she ignored me and swam deeper into the water. My eyes searched the water for her little blonde hair but I couldn't make out her features over the waves.

The wind picked up and I brushed my dark brown hair out of my face as worry surged through me.

"Elena? Come back onto the shore, the waves are picking up." I called out to her but got no response in return.

"Elena?" I shouted as my feet slowly carried me into the water. The waves were strong and pulling me in and I didn't resist as my eyes frantically scanned the water for my sister.

"Aria." Elena's faint scream reached my ears and I turned. I caught sight of her splashing and struggling against the water as the waves tossed her around.

"Help." She screamed, her words muffled by the water.

I swam as fast as I could towards her, trying my best to keep her in my line of sight.

"Elena." I called out to her when her head disappeared under the water and I couldn't find her.

I ignored the freezing cold water and the waves tossing me in the water as I swam as fast as I could when I saw a splash and then Elena's pink dress.

I finally made it to her and I struggled to keep my grasp on her hand as I swam back towards the shore.

"Elena." I called out to her when I felt her tugging me backwards, deeper into the water.

"Aria, I can't feel my toes." Her voice was barely audible over the crashing waves.

"Just hold on a little bit longer, we're almost there." I encouraged, as I adjusted my grip around her waist and fought against the waves.

I could feel Elena becoming colder and heavier as she slipped out of my grip and my hands clutched around her desperately.

"Elena? Aria." I heard distant voices calling out to us.

"Here, over here." I shouted at the top of my lungs, ignoring the water that managed to find it's way into my mouth.

"Help, please help us." I sobbed out as the