1996 Mazda 626 Not Really Brakes But Hood

Brakes problem
1996 Mazda 626

I happen to really not be the mechanical type of guy and my dad always fixes the problems of my car, but tonight I find myself without his assistance (though I know I won't get an answer immediately). I am needing to change my brake fluid and possibly a few others. I went to pull the hood-release button in my car (which isn't really a button but rather a mechanism that I pull out and it's supposed to release). Now, the problem is the fact that though it's supposed to release, it isn't. Nothing is happening and I'm really not wanting to use some form of crowbar or other item to bust open the hood to put in more fluids since I'm afraid it won't ever lock again.