!!!! I need help !!!!!!

I have some repairs to do, but I can't even get throught Steop#1: Opening the hood!! I don't have a grill (another long story), so I can see the latch under the hood, but when I pull it, nothing happens. I can also see the cable, but pulling it doesn't do anything, but loosen the end that goes towards the drivers side to the under-dash latch. Upon pulling the under-dash latch, nothing happens either. Could the cable be snapped somewhere in between? How can I know? And where can I find instructions to disassemble the under-dash latch to see if the cable is attached there?

Sorry for all the stupid questions...I usually do my own work on my cars, but I just bought this one AS IS from a friend, and I can't find a manual for it ANYWHERE....

Thanks a bunch!