Releasing hood latch, Cable is gone completely.

I am trying to open my hood, there is no cable left for the release mechanism and as I have not had the hood open to look and see the mechanism I have no clue where the piece is I have to reach under the car to find and release the latch, my coworker whom I bought the vehicle from is able to release it as soon as he touches it. more or less what am I feeling for and how will I move it to release the hood>?